Gynecological and obstetric violence (GOV) is a reality for many Senegalese women. These acts, often perpetrated in a climate of silence and impunity, have devastating consequences on the physical and mental health of victims. To address this scourge, innovative initiatives are emerging, among which Talking Circles stand out for their unique approach and impact.
Born out of the "Our Bodies, Our Health" project and supported by a consortium of committed organizations (Equipop, ANJ SR/PF, ROALJEF, GESTES, Enda Santé), the Talking Circles offer women a safe space to express their often painful experiences related to reproductive health care. These single-sex spaces, led by trained facilitators, allow participants to break the taboo and free themselves from guilt, often induced by a patriarchal system that imposes strict norms on sexuality and reproduction.
The Talking Circles (TCs) co-facilitated in the Diamniadio district by the youth organizations ANJ SR/PF and ROALJEF Senegal are situated at the intersection of the personal and the collective and allow for the sharing of personal stories.
The collective sharing experience allows women and girls to break taboos by talking freely about menstruation, childbirth, sexuality and sensuality during menopause, addictions, their experiences of care, gender-based and sexual violence, and therefore GBV. It is also a conducive setting for building sisterhood. "The intimate format of the CP, a safe environment under the seal of confidentiality, allows for a wide range of topics to be addressed, rooted in specific local contexts, yet resonating with the experiences of women and girls beyond." excerpt from the code of conduct for circles
Talking Circles in figures:
Thanks to this initiative, several cycles have already been organized:- Four single-gender discussion cycles already organized
- 16 groups with very diverse profiles
- Each group has an average of 15 people aged 17 to 80.
- The topics of VGOs and the continuum of violence are addressed with each group during six sessions.
“Participating in the CP program helped me realize that I belonged to a group and that I wasn't alone in my fear of going to a healthcare facility. I now feel better equipped and more confident to seek care because I know I have rights.” CP beneficiaryDuring the sessions, there are also intergenerational and thematic discussions (on topics such as sexuality among young girls and menopausal women), where participants and facilitators have had to adapt to using local techniques such as "djonguê, the art of seduction in Senegal" to transcend the age barrier and also rely on the support of bajanu gox (neighborhood godmother).
“Participating in the menstruation circle allowed me to go back 20 years to when I had my first period and understand that younger women still experience the same taboos.”Bajanu gox (neighborhood godmother), facilitator of discussion circles with pre-menopausal and menopausal women.
