They agreed to do all they could to spread what they had learned about the dangers of FGM to other practitioners in their region. The idea was to train future spokespeople in the fight against FGM with representatives from a broad cross section of interest groups. Mali is a predominantly Muslim country and Diakite says she faces a great deal of opposition from Islamic conservatives who argue that FGM is an Islamic practice condoned by the Koran. She rejects the argument that the practice is sanctioned by the tenets of Islam and works to counter this misguided perception. The prevailing force behind the practice of FGM is not cultural or religious, Diakite says, but economic.
Practitioners rely on the promulgation of the ritual for their livelihood.
Therefore, in addition to raising awareness, Diakite insists that it's vital to work with practitioners to help them learn other skills to support themselves - making soap or dying clothes, for example. Resentment towards Diakite's efforts is high among FGM proponents. But Diakite is not one to shy away from conflict, particularly when it involves a cause to which she's deeply committed. Unafraid to forge new ground, she was the first woman to join the executive of the National Teacher's Union. It was not easy.