Woman laws at Senegal
Here’s a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of women’s legal rights and protections in Senegal:
1. Constitutional & International Commitments
Legal Framework & Equality Principles
Senegal’s 2001 Constitution proclaims the principle of equality between men and women, and Senegal follows a monist system: international treaties automatically become part of national law.
Regional and Global Treaties
Senegal has ratified key treaties that uphold women's rights, including:
CEDAW (and Optional Protocol)
African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights
Maputo Protocol on women's rights in Africa(
2. Political Participation — Gender Parity Law
Parity Law (2010)
In a landmark move, Senegal enacted the Law on Parity in 2010, mandating alternating male and female candidates on all electoral lists, with non-compliant lists disallowed.
Impact in Practice
Women's representation in the National Assembly jumped from 22.7% in 2007 to 43–44% in 2012 and 2022.
Despite gains at the national level, local governance still sees low female leadership—only ~3% of mayors are women.
3. Family Law, Child Marriage & FGM
Family Code (1972) – Persistent Inequalities
The Family Code enshrines gendered norms:
Heads of the family are designated as husbands.
Minimum marriage age: 18 for men, 16 for women.
Practices like dowry, polygamy, and inheritance skew in favor of men.
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
Criminalized since 1999, yet still widely practiced—especially in rural regions—with prevalence ranging from 28% overall, to over 90% in some southern areas.
4. Gender-Based Violence & Sexual Offenses
Legal Protections
Domestic violence has been criminalized since 1999.
In 2020, Senegal passed a landmark law criminalizing rape and pedophilia, with prison terms ranging from 10 years to life.
Enforcement Gaps
Some crimes like marital rape remain unrecognized in law and rarely prosecuted.
Advocacy groups note enforcement of domestic violence statutes is weak; penalties are often fines with little follow-through.
5. Reproductive Rights & Health Challenges
Strict Abortion Laws
Abortion is broadly illegal, permitted only to save the woman's life, and then only with approval from three doctors. Consulting or referring for abortion is a criminal offense.
These restrictions contribute to unsafe, clandestine abortions and a tragic rise in infanticide, particularly among young, unmarried women.
6. Socioeconomic and Cultural Dynamics
Entrenched Norms
Traditional and religious norms—especially misinterpretations of Sharia law—often discourage women from owning property, inheriting land, or working.
Education & Employment Gaps
While education is legally compulsory, high illiteracy persists—particularly among women. Formal labor force participation remains very low.
Civil Society Momentum
Dynamic grassroots movements continue to push for legal reform. Notably:
Réseau des féministes du Sénégal (est. 2023),
Tostan and other NGOs disseminate legal awareness and fight harmful practices.
Innovative Programs
“Schools for husbands” programs educate men on domestic equality and reproductive health—promising strategies to challenge traditional dynamics.
Summary Table
| Domain | Status in Senegal |
|---|---|
| Legal Equality & Treaty Commitments | Constitution supports equality; ratified major international treaties |
| Political Representation | Parity law enacted 2010; ~44% women in National Assembly; weak local leadership |
| Family Law & FGM | Outdated Family Code; minimum marriage age below international norms; FGM criminalized but prevalent |
| Gender-Based Violence | Domestic violence, rape outlawed; enforcement inconsistent |
| Reproductive Rights | Highly restrictive abortion laws; unsafe practices prevalent |
| Socioeconomic Structure | Cultural and economic barriers persist; civil society and male engagement rising |
Final Thoughts
Senegal has made extraordinary strides in gender parity in politics—among the most successful in Africa. Yet outdated family laws, reproductive restrictions, and gendered power structures continue to hold women back, especially in rural and cultural contexts. Real progress requires not just legal reform, but societal transformation.
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