Senegal is the westernmost country in Africa with a population of just over 18 million (as of 2023), of which around 3 million live in the capital Dakar. The capital is an up-and-coming and vibrant harbour city. At the westernmost point of the continent, people from all over the world meet here and contribute to cultural and economic life. At the same time, many people from the countryside and neighbouring countries come to Dakar in search of work or in transit to Europe or America.
Senegal is one of the economically weakest countries in the world and ranks 170th out of 191 countries in the current UNDP Human Development Index (HDI) (as of 2022). The country's development is being held back by energy shortages, food crises, high population growth, high unemployment and the exploitation of the country's mainly exported economic resources by northern countries, particularly France.
Politically speaking, Senegal is a benchmark country in terms of democracy compared to other West African countries. Since its independence from France in 1960, its government has acted objectively and reform-oriented, especially in the introduction of economic stimulus programmes. Since 2021, the controversy over the possibility of the current President Macky Sall to run for a third term in 2024 has led to tensions and doubts about the country's democratic orientation, as a president can be elected for a maximum of two consecutive terms according to the constitution. Following the arrest of opposition politician Ousmane Sonko, who is very popular with the young population, there were large waves of demonstrations throughout the country in 2021. These mobilisations aggravated the socio-economic situation of many Senegalese people, especially young people, who also suffered several deaths as a result of the demonstrations.
Another problem is the high level of corruption among the political elite. For example, members of the president's family-in-law have embezzled COVID-19 funds intended for poor women and children. The increasingly restricted freedom of expression should also be mentioned. Journalists are being arrested, as are critical members of civil society. The same applies to freedom of demonstration, which is systematically prevented on the grounds of disturbing public order.
Despite this recent political crisis, Senegal is still characterised by a political stability and absence of violence that is unusual for the region. So far, there have been no coups d'état in the country, elections are held regularly, Senegal has a strong civil society built on a civic and democratic vision, there is a functioning citizen army and a university that is recognised as the region's committed intellectual elite working to improve the living conditions of young people.
In addition, its commitment to peace, pan-Africanism and the economy makes Senegal an important stabilising factor in the region and on the entire African continent. This positive influence on the surrounding region must be maintained, also by further strengthening women's rights in Senegal.
In Senegal, women face profound inequalities, particularly in terms of healthcare, access to natural, material and financial resources, participation in decision-making processes and the constant overburdening of women as mothers, daughters-in-law, wives and often also as those responsible for the home and farm and an important share of the family income.
Nevertheless, there are positive changes. Women's access to the informal economy and education is improving and their participation in politics has increased. The women's and feminist movement in Senegal is one of the most developed in Africa. Since the 1970s, a dynamic women's movement has emerged in both rural and urban areas, whose long-standing struggles have led to significant progress: in 1999, female genital mutilation was banned by law and other laws against violence against women were introduced; in 2010, parity in all elective offices was enshrined in law; and finally, in 2020, rape was criminalised. On the other hand, Senegal ratified the Maputo Protocol in 2005, which is intended to enable access to abortion, but Senegalese women are still waiting for its implementation.
The "Me Too" movement also exists in Senegal under the hashtag "Balance ton saï-saï". Today, young, intellectual and urbanised Senegalese women in particular are leading the fight against patriarchy and the religious and traditional ideologies that continue to oppress women. Their demands centre on issues such as equal rights in all areas, women's self-determination over their bodies, access to contraception and medically assisted abortions (which are banned in Senegal) and respect for the sexual and reproductive rights of young people. And even if the laws largely stipulate equal rights, the 'Code de la Famille' of 1972, a compromise between traditional Senegalese law and colonial law as well as Muslim law, all based on patriarchal thought structures, is decisive in the event of a dispute. According to it, for example, only a man can be the head of the family or a man cannot be forced by a child or its mother to prove paternity.
