As these Council Members well know, extremist groups have started to implemen...

As these Council Members well know, extremist groups have started to implement exceedingly harsh interpretation of Sharia law in northern Mali. This has led to the separation of boys and girls at schools, forced marriages for young girls and targeted killing or maiming of women accused of having children out of wedlock. Women's rights are being dramatically curtailed, including their right to work, leaving them unable to sustain themselves or their families.