Abdoulaye Bah: An inspiring journey at the heart of resilience

In a context of exile and repression, many human rights defenders continue their work despite the dispersion of their communities. Abdoulaye Bah is one of these individuals, embodying the resilience of civil society, maintaining solidarity and commitment beyond borders.

Abdoulaye is currently pursuing a Professional Residency at Equitas, supported by Resilient Societies, which allows him to promote the Resilience Network as an Associate and ambassador. This flagship initiative, led in partnership with Equitas, aims to become a global platform for organization, advocacy, and solidarity for human rights defenders, democracy practitioners, and civil society actors at risk. The network supports and accelerates adaptation, mobility, and reorganization efforts for activists at risk or in exile in host countries, strengthening the resilience of civic space. 

Originally from Mali and holding a master’s degree in legal and political sciences, Abdoulaye Bah has dedicated over 10 years of his expertise to promoting and protecting human rights. His work has been carried out through international cooperation projects in Mali, advancing the rights of women, adolescents, LGBTQI+ communities, and Indigenous populations. 

His participation in Equitas’ International Human Rights Training Program (PIFDH) in 2023 strengthened both his commitment and his skills in defending and promoting human rights.

Abdoulaye has notably contributed to three major projects focused on human rights and access to justice. First, as a volunteer with the Association of Malian Lawyers (AJM) in Mopti, he supported a project for justice, prevention, and reconciliation for women affected by the crisis in Northern Mali, in partnership with Avocats Sans Frontières Canada, CECI, and ENAP. He also worked as a staff member at the DÉMÈ-SO Legal and Judicial Assistance Office (help center), combining a legal clinic for young lawyers with a community component led by paralegals to support local populations. Finally, as a legal advisor for the PLURIELLES project in the Kayes region, he contributed to initiatives on reproductive health, access to justice, human rights, and the economic development of women and adolescent girls in Mali, Benin, and Burkina Faso, in collaboration with Santé Monde, Avocats Sans Frontières Canada, and SOCODEVI. 

His commitment to sensitive causes, such as combating slavery by descent, defending the rights of women and adolescent survivors of sexual violence, and advocating for LGBTQI+ rights, unfortunately made him a target of threats in the course of his work. 

These pressures ultimately forced him into exile in Canada, but they did not stop his dedication to justice, human rights, equality, and social justice. Over the past two years, he has collaborated with leading Canadian organizations such as Avocats Sans Frontières Canada, Santé Monde, SOCODEVI, Amnesty International Francophone Canada, Collectif BIENVENUE, CREMCV, and CSAI, actively contributing to legal empowerment, reproductive health, access to justice, advocacy, economic development, and the integration of the most vulnerable communities in Canada. 

Abdoulaye fully embodies the values of resilience, equity, and social transformation: 

“Resilience is turning pain into commitment and silence into collective voice.” 

His journey is a powerful example of leadership in the service of human rights.