From dialogue to action: Aïcha and the fight against sexual violence in Senegal

An alarming reality that persists

” More than 230 million girls and women alive today have undergone female genital mutilation (FGM) in 30 countries in Africa, the Middle East and Asia where FGM is practiced. “
— World Health Organization.

In Senegal, despite the ban and penalties provided for by Law 99-05 of January 29, 1999, female genital mutilation remains widespread. 

It persists because it is deeply rooted in family customs and because impunity remains the norm: in more than 25 years, very few cases have been prosecuted or convicted. To avoid the law, some families even travel to neighboring countries and then return to Senegal once the mutilation has been performed. 

This sexual violence is part of an even more worrying context: a decline in public policies on vital issues such as access to safe abortion, even in cases of incest or rape. 

One woman’s courage to change reality

It is in this context that Aïcha, a feminist activist and human rights educator, comes in. Her causes: women’s and girls’ rights, reproductive health, and the right to a healthy environment. 

An activist since her youth, she now works in all 14 regions of Senegal. Faced with the complexity of the situation on the ground, she has chosen a deeply human and innovative approach: empowering communities to become agents of their own change. 

Creating circles of dialogue to break the silence

Instead of imposing solutions, Aïcha and her colleagues create inclusive discussion circles. All voices are welcome: 

• Religious leaders, 
• Former excisers, 
• Badjengors (neighborhood godmothers), 
• Young survivors, 
• Boys and young men. 

In these safe spaces, Aïcha never says, “This is what you must do.” She presents the facts and consequences and lets the solutions emerge from the community itself. 

At the same time, she trains young leaders who become capable of identifying and reporting cases of FGM and child marriage. She also documents clandestine abortions, collects testimonies, and uses this data to courageously advocate with political leaders. 

First results taking root 

Thanks to this groundwork, discussions that were once impossible are now taking place openly in several communities, and cases of FGM are gradually being abandoned. 

But Aïcha knows that change takes time. For her, one priority remains: to create a local alert system, where trained young leaders become focal points for monitoring and reporting cases of rape, incest, FGM, child marriage, and other sexual violence. 

An activist connected to a global community 

During her participation in Equitas’ International Human Rights Training Program, Aïcha forged essential links with advocates from other countries. 

This network allows her to: 

• Discuss anti-rights movements, particularly in Guinea, 
• And have backup options in case of threats or political instability in Senegal. 

Hope, resilience, and self-care

Despite the decline in human rights in her country, Aïcha remains convinced that the community and national efforts being made today will fuel future regional progress. 

Her message to other activists: take care of your mental health so you can continue to act, live, flourish… and see the fruits of your commitment. As she reminds us, “To continue fighting, you first have to survive. To survive, you have to take care of your mind.”

Sowing seeds for better change 

Aïcha is a true social horticulturist. She does not brutally uproot a tradition, despite its harmful effects, to replace it with an external solution. 

She prepares the ground, nurtures dialogue and offers seeds for reflection: “To sow lasting change, you have to cultivate dialogue and let the community grow its own solutions.” 

This is how change takes root in a sustainable way.