In Senegal, like in many West African countries, men are often the ones calling the shots at home, especially when it comes to big decisions like health. Women usually need their husband’s permission to access things like family planning, prenatal care, or even to give birth in a hospital. It’s a dynamic deeply tied to the country’s patriarchal system. This system isn’t just cultural — it’s also written into the law. Senegal’s family law officially designates men as heads of the household, giving them authority over family matters. For many women, especially those in rural areas, this setup brings huge challenges. Even though they’re often the ones caring for the family, managing the home, and even earning an income, they don’t have the power to make basic decisions without their husband’s approval.
Change is slow because the system benefits men, and many don’t want to give up that control. Women usually avoid pushing back against these norms — sometimes out of fear, but also because it feels impossible to challenge the status quo. This is where “schools for husbands” come in. In some parts of Senegal, these programs aim to teach men about the value of supporting their wives’ autonomy, especially in health and family decisions. They’re creating room for conversations that challenge old traditions and slowly give women a bigger voice in their own lives.
Efforts to address men’s roles have also highlighted the importance of girls’ rights, equality, and the harms of female genital mutilation. This practice, rooted in traditions across parts of Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, affects an estimated 230 million women and girls, according to a 2024 UN report. Most procedures occur on girls under five years old and it has severe physical and psychological consequences, sometimes leading to death from infections or trauma. Female genital mutilation has been illegal in Senegal since 1999, with strict penalties for anyone involved, including medical professionals. In 2022, Senegal launched its third national strategy to end the practice by 2030. Efforts by advocacy groups have also led thousands of communities to abandon female genital mutilation, even though changing mindsets is difficult and takes time.
Despite some progress, there’s still a long way to go. Violence against women, discriminatory attitudes, and lack of access to basic rights like civic registration continue to hold women and girls back in Senegal. Traditions run deep, and change doesn’t happen overnight. Still, programs like schools for husbands — combined with education and advocacy — are slowly making a difference in women’s lives.
