Mariam Wallet Aboubakrine’s journey embodies resilience and dedication to advancing the rights of indigenous peoples, particularly women, across the Sahel region and beyond. Forced to leave Mali at the age of nine due to violence against the Tuareg people, she has transformed her personal experiences of displacement into a lifelong mission to champion human rights, cultural preservation, and sustainable development.
As a co-founder of the Tinhinan Sahel association in 1994, Mariam has played a pivotal role in empowering nomadic women in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. Through initiatives addressing malnutrition, displacement, and access to human rights instruments, the organization has become a vital platform for advocacy. Her work extends to global collaborations, including the development of the CEDAW General Recommendation No. 39 on the Rights of Indigenous Women and Girls and contributions to capacity-building activities promoting health, peace, and justice.
Mariam’s vision transcends borders. In Canada, she co-founded another branch of Tinhinan to foster understanding among Indigenous peoples, settlers, and immigrants through cultural exchange and education. Her commitment to uniting diverse communities highlights the universal need for inclusivity and respect for indigenous heritage.
At the international level, Mariam has amplified the voices of Tuareg women, advocating for their rights in prominent spaces such as the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development. Her leadership in projects, including the reintegration of youth soldiers through traditional storytelling and ecological research in Mali, underscores her innovative approach to tackling complex challenges.
