The Network of Women Leaders for Development (RFLD) has underscored the urgent need for greater female representation in Senegal’s decision-making bodies, stressing that the nation’s progress cannot be achieved without the full participation of women. Speaking at a high-level seminar on women’s political engagement in Dakar, Bator Seck, President of the RFLD in Senegal, delivered a powerful message: “A democracy remains incomplete when women are excluded from leadership. The future of Senegal must not be built for women—it must be built with them.”
This gathering, organized by the RFLD—a pan-African feminist network active in Senegal, Ghana, Gambia, and Benin—served as a platform to advocate for legislative reforms, community empowerment, and grassroots initiatives that advance women’s rights. The organization’s work spans critical areas, including sexual and reproductive health, civic space protection, and climate justice, all of which are intrinsically linked to women’s participation in governance.
challenges persist despite legal advances
Senegal has long been recognized as a regional leader in advancing gender equality, thanks to landmark policies such as the 2010 parity law, the 2001 Constitution guaranteeing gender equality, and the ratification of international human rights conventions. Yet, as Seck pointed out, these legal frameworks have not translated into meaningful representation.
She highlighted the stark decline in women’s political participation following the 2024 early legislative elections, where female representation in the National Assembly dropped from 44.2% to 41%. “Even more concerning, only 13% of electoral list heads were women,” she noted. The situation is equally dire at the local level, where women lead just 18 of the country’s 558 communes and only three of the 43 departmental councils. These figures reveal deep-rooted structural barriers, cultural resistance, and systemic inequalities in access to political funding, leadership opportunities, and media visibility.
women’s pivotal role in Senegal’s development
Despite these challenges, Seck praised the indomitable contributions of Senegalese women across sectors. “From local economies to education, social advocacy, and peacebuilding, women are the backbone of our society,” she affirmed. Their leadership is not only transformative but essential for sustainable growth and stability.
Echoing this sentiment, Mama Diouf Fall, a senior representative from Senegal’s Ministry of Family, Social Action, and Solidarity, emphasized that women’s political participation is a cornerstone of durable development, social cohesion, and effective governance. Meanwhile, Fatoumata Guèye Ndiaye, Honorary President of the Senegalese Women Jurists Association, called for urgent reforms to expand women’s access to executive roles and party leadership, urging a revision of the parity law to further strengthen their presence in decision-making spheres.