Dakar recently hosted a pivotal seminar on women’s political participation in Senegal, where leaders emphasized that no nation can thrive without equal representation in decision-making spaces. Bator Seck, President of the Réseau des femmes leaders pour le développement (RFLD), underscored this point during her keynote address at the event.

The seminar, organized by the RFLD—a pan-African feminist network operating across Senegal, Ghana, Gambia, and Bénin—focused on empowering women to take on leadership roles in political institutions and parties. The RFLD advocates for legislative reforms, community mobilization, and local initiatives to advance gender equality, reproductive health rights, civic freedoms, and climate justice.

Challenges in achieving gender parity

Despite Senegal’s reputation as a regional leader in women’s rights—bolstered by the 2010 parity law, the 2001 Constitution guaranteeing gender equality, and ratification of international human rights conventions—progress remains uneven. Recent legislative elections in November 2024 revealed a troubling decline in female representation in the National Assembly, dropping from 44.2% to 41%.

Even more striking, women headed only 13% of all candidate lists, highlighting systemic barriers to political inclusion. The situation is equally dire at the local level, where women lead just 18 of 558 municipalities and preside over only three of 43 departmental councils. These disparities reflect deep-rooted structural obstacles, cultural resistance, and persistent inequalities in access to political funding, media visibility, and leadership opportunities.

The indispensable role of women in Senegal’s development

While challenges persist, the contributions of Senegalese women to the nation’s progress cannot be overstated. From driving local economies and advancing education to championing social causes and peacebuilding, their influence is profound and far-reaching. Mama Diouf Fall, representing the Ministry of Family, Social Action, and Solidarity, affirmed that women’s political engagement is a cornerstone of sustainable development, social stability, and effective governance.

Fatoumata Guèye Ndiaye, Honorary President of the Association of Senegalese Jurists, echoed this sentiment, calling for greater female representation in executive roles and within political party leadership. She also urged a comprehensive review of the parity law to expand women’s access to decision-making spheres and strengthen their voice in shaping the nation’s future.