In Senegal, women and young people represent nearly 51% and more than 65% of the total population, respectively (ANSD, 2013). They play a vital role in the country's family, economic, and social life. However, women and young people have limited access to resources and their voices are not heard in decision-making bodies. In this context, the Bruits de Tambours project aims to improve their involvement in public decision-making, for a more participatory and inclusive democracy.
Today, in Senegal, power is too often associated with older men. Although often considered a showcase for democracy in Africa, the country struggles to develop participatory and inclusive public policies: women are excluded from local decision-making bodies or confined to women's issues. Young people show a willingness to get involved, but are blocked by the hierarchy or dismissed for their lack of experience.
Drumbeats: for a more inclusive democracy that favors women and young people
" Decision-makers do not take our needs as women into account! " – Discussion with a women's savings and credit group in Saint Louis to understand the challenges of better including women in governance.
The Bruits de Tambours project, led by the NGO RAES in partnership with Equipop, NGO 3D, and the Siggil Jigéen Network, is a social and community communication campaign to encourage the emergence of more democratic governance in Senegal and West Africa. It aims to promote participatory and inclusive democracy for women and young people. To achieve this, discussions and debates are organized to constructively question individual behaviors and social norms, as well as to strengthen the capacity for action of women and young people.
This project is built around four components:
- a TV series produced and broadcast in Senegal and around the world to 291 million households,
- related social engagement content: visuals, multimedia, radio, and written material to inform and encourage debate,
- Community actions to implement more inclusive forms of governance for women and young people, respectful of human rights.
- a monitoring/evaluation program and sharing of lessons learned.
Two field missions to Saint Louis to assess the situation
In October and November 2018, two field missions were carried out in the municipality of Saint Louis to gather the perceptions of many Saint Louis residents regarding their place in governance bodies and to identify related issues and existing power dynamics. It was also an opportunity for Equipop and its partners to map out the institutional and community landscape, which NGOs can use as a basis for implementing the project.
This assessment of women's and young people's participation in public decision-making processes has identified the obstacles and opportunities for greater involvement on their part. The project will thus be able to build on the strong civic engagement of young people in Saint Louis, as well as on the structuring of women into interest and savings groups.
"If young people leave politics to the old, then the old will decide for them and for their own benefit!" – Young people from Saint Louis told us about their community involvement, the difficulties they face in influencing political decisions, and solutions for better inclusion of women and young people in governance.
At the beginning of this year, the project team will begin drafting and disseminating the results of this mapping exercise in order to start the training and action plan creation phase, which will be rolled out in the municipality of Saint Louis until August 2020.
