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Senegal

In Senegal, HI is working to develop an inclusive, sustainable and equitable society to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities and individuals experiencing hardship.

A female deminer wearing protective gear and holding a detection device amid a field with markers

In May 2022, HI began mine clearance activities in Casamance, in the south of Senegal, where the organization has already cleared almost 470,000 meters of land since 2008. | © A. Sawadogo / HI

Our actions

In Senegal, Humanity & Inclusion is working where the needs are greatest, namely the two regions of Dakar and the three regions of Casamance.

HI teams run training and vocational and economic inclusion projects for people experiencing vulnerability and people with disabilities to help advance equal opportunities. They also work to protect and promote the rights of people with disabilities, with a particular focus on preventing violence against women and girls with disabilities. HI supports associations and women with disabilities leading the response to violence and discrimination.

HI is running several inclusive education and economic inclusion projects designed to increase basic education opportunities, develop skills and promote the success of young people with disabilities throughout the learning process. To combat prejudice and improve teacher training, our teams work alongside local authorities and support Senegalese associations in their advocacy activities. They also work to raise awareness among the various actors in the employment world and to improve the accessibility of services and structures.

HI also works to promote sexual and reproductive health rights, focusing on women and teenage girls. Awareness-raising and training activities are carried out with civil society organizations. Physical and functional rehabilitation projects are also run, aimed at strengthening existing health centers and their capacity to respond to the needs of the population.

Our mine action team implements demining, surveying and risk education activities to promote the building of sustainable peace in Casamance. They conduct clearance operations to release land back to the communities and improve access to services.

Latest stories

Kira, Storm, Fisti and Tini: meet our new demining colleagues in Senegal
© A. Stachurski / HI
Explosive weapons

Kira, Storm, Fisti and Tini: meet our new demining colleagues in Senegal

Nose to the wind and eyes sparkling, the four dogs are training in the lush vegetation of Casamance. Soon, they will be clearing mines alongside Humanity & Inclusion’s teams.

As a peer educator, Saly is mobilizing for people’s rights
© A. Faye / HI
Health Prevention Rights

As a peer educator, Saly is mobilizing for people’s rights

Saly, 22, lives in the Kolda region of Senegal. She is a peer educator working to raise the awareness of young people about sexual health and disability issues.

Awa fights against genital mutilation in Senegal
© A. Faye / HI
Health Prevention Rights

Awa fights against genital mutilation in Senegal

Awa is raising the awareness of young men and women about sexual health issues in Kolda, Senegal. Her objective? For everyone to have access to the information and the health services they need.

Background

Map of Humanity & Inclusion's interventions in Senegal

Senegal is a major economic power in West Africa, but a substantial percentage of the country's population lives in a situation of extreme poverty. People with disabilities are often discriminated against and experience extreme hardship.

The country is politically stable and economically dynamic, although the COVID-19 pandemic affected growth in 2020. Despite this stability, the crisis in Casamance, ongoing for 40 years, has caused a large number of mine accidents. In Senegal, the management of small arms and explosive weapons remains a sensitive issue. The Casamance conflict has led to population displacements and access to agricultural land is limited in this region, considered the 'breadbasket of Senegal.

The legislative framework for disability has changed for the better since 2010 when Senegal ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. However, people with disabilities still face barriers on a daily basis when trying to access health, education and employment services. Victims of discrimination and marginalized within society continue to fight for recognition of their fundamental rights. Increasing the school attendance rate of children with disabilities, which is far below the national average, is one of the big challenges in the development of education in the country.

Number of HI staff members: 80

Date the program launched: 1995      

Where we work
 

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