senegal Grapples with Contradictions in Women’s Rights Despite Legal Advances
DAKAR, Senegal – Despite recent legal reforms and public discourse surrounding gender equality, Senegal presents a complex picture regarding its treatment of women, prompting questions about whether systemic biases persist beneath a veneer of progress. A recent international symposium honoring Professor Fatou Sow, a champion of “female democracy,” highlighted ongoing efforts to advance women’s rights (1). Though, concurrent reports of feminicides and deeply ingrained patriarchal structures reveal a stark contrast.
Senegal has taken steps toward legal protections for women. A new law criminalizing rape and pedophilia was unanimously adopted by the government (7), and the Maputo Protocol, guaranteeing reproductive rights including access to medical abortion in specific circumstances, is recognized (6).Yet, organizations like Pressafrik report a surge in feminicides, demanding stricter laws and immediate state action (2).
A key point of contention lies within Article 152 of the Senegalese Family Code, which, despite acknowledging shared parental power, designates the husband as the head of the family, effectively granting him authority during marriage (3).This legal framework reinforces conventional patriarchal norms.
Further complicating the narrative, observers note instances of “tone policing” – dismissing women’s concerns by focusing on how they express themselves rather than the substance of their arguments (5) – as a tactic to discredit their voices. A recent segment on the “Jakaarlo bi” program (8) and coverage in the August 7 Observer (4) exemplify the ongoing national conversation, though the extent to which thes platforms genuinely amplify women’s perspectives remains a subject of debate.
These developments underscore a critical tension: while Senegal demonstrates a willingness to enact laws protecting women, deeply rooted societal structures and practices continue to pose significant challenges to achieving true gender equality.
