SENEGAL / 2020-2025

Xalé Sama Yité : The child, our top priority

// Combating child sexual and gender-based violence //

In Senegal, children, and girls in particular, continue to face sexual and gender-based violence despite the State's declared will to eradicate such violence. To support the efforts undertaken, the International Bureau for Children's Rights, together with its partners, UNICEF and Global Affairs Canada, is continuing its efforts this year and putting its expertise at the service of professionals and children to enable them to better understand, identify and protect themselves from such violence.

The Project

The IBCR aims to reduce sexual and gender-based violence against children, especially girls, by:

• Increasing the professionalisation of key child protection actors, including members of security forces (police and gendarmerie), the judiciary, the prison system and the social services sector

• Strengthening children's autonomy and the role they play in combating violence and defending their rights, both individually and collectively

HOW?

J Reinforce professional practices in the targeted institutions and make sure they respect child rights by defining internal or multi-sectoral procedures and by clarifying each actor's roles and responsibilities with regard to victim support.

J Train personnel (current and future) on sexual and gender-based violence so that they are equipped to uphold children's rights and provide appropriate support during their interventions.

J Provide training and tools for children so that they can learn about their rights and develop leadership in preventing and responding to violence; and also promote children's viewpoints and child participation in addressing violence.

A Better Understanding Of Child Protection In Senegal

A situational assessment of Senegal's child protection system was conducted, shedding light on the causes of child abuse, the inherent challenges in its eradication and possibilities for change. The analysis also provided insights on the project's targeted sectors, including their strengths, weaknesses and opportunities to strengthen them. This information will enable the IBCR to ensure the project's activities are aligned with actual needs and are appropriate for the various contexts.

» 222 children and 368 women and men were consulted during the situational assessment

» Activities took place in three cities: Dakar, Saint Louis and Fatick

The IBCR usually makes a point of translating the names of its projects into the language of the country in which the project takes place. This reflects the IBCR's desire to adapt its activities to the realities of each country, and to ensure participants understand the project and its objectives in order to encourage their mobilisation.

This is why, following discussions with the project partners, the project is now called "Xalé Sama Yité," which means "The child, our top priority" in Wolof. A logo was created to represent the project and its new title.

Combating sexual and genderbased violence is a high-stakes battle [...] It makes sense to equip people with the skills they need to effectively address the challenges they encounter. […] to reach a point in which children's rights are respected in all situations.

- Ciré Lo, Director of Cabinet, representing the Ministry of Women, Family, Gender and Child Protection at the launch of the situational assessment exercise, Dakar, December 2021

Improved Training On Child Abuse And Gender Equality For Professionals

Workshops promoted valuable discussions and helped increase awareness of gender-based stereotypes and the need to deconstruct them in order to prevent discriminatory practices.

» 8 workshops were organised

» 2 procedural handbooks are being developed (one for security forces and the other for legal professionals) to facilitate service coordination

The projects results include:

83 %* of participants now understand their role and that of the other actors involved in responding to cases of sexual and gender-based violence, compared to 42% before the project began

85 %* of participants now say they are sensitive to gender equality issues, compared to 44% at the beginning of the project

71 %** of participants believe they possess the skills required to implement child-friendly practices, compared to 36% at the project outset

* Activities related to procedural development

** Activities related to training

Certain mentalities have been deconstructed and we have a clearer understanding of gender-based violence. [...] For example, some people thought that only girls could be victims of rape. [...] Now, complaints made by boys are taken much more seriously.

- Member of the Ministry of the Interior, March 2022

Empowering Children To Prevent And Combat Child Abuse

The community organisations that partnered with the project have updated the practices to give children greater opportunities to participate, understand their role and express their opinions.

Meanwhile, the children involved in the project are now able to recognise sexual and gender-based violence and know how to respond if they experience or witness these abuses.

98 % of the children who participated in the project's activities say they feel better prepared to protect themselves and take action in the event of violence

91 % dof the girls and boys who participated in the project report having good leadership skills

From top to bottom and from left to right:

› Workshop with the social sector, Dakar, December 2021

› Workshop on developing procedures for the justice sector, Dakar, December 2021

› Workshop with the security forces, Saly-Mbour, June 2021

» 85 children were involved in the project through the advisory committees in Dakar, Saint-Louis and Fatick

» 8 workshops were held with children

» A comic book was developed for children, summarising the analysis of Senegal's child protection system

STORY OF CHANGE: MOHAMED*, 17 YEARS OLD

The project gave children the opportunity to view themselves as monitors and watchdogs, and to address their specific needs.

- Member of the association Femme enfance environnement, March 2022

Mohamed sits on the project's advisory committee in Saint-Louis. While talking to a friend, Mohamed realised that he has experienced physical abuse. Wanting to report the situation, he contacted one of the project's local partner organisations. It first offered his friend protection and then initiated mediation and legal proceedings to prosecute the perpetrator. Mohamed continues to work on raising awareness about child rights among his peers and he encourages youths to promote the issue, in particular using videos on social networks.

"The project helped bring out my leadership skills. There's no doubt! [...] I usually end up explaining the project to [students]. I help them understand what it's all about and it gives them the chance to share their views on the subject."

* The child's name has been changed to protect his identity.