In Senegal, more than one-third of all girls are married by the age of 18. Only ir rural Kolda, 35% of girls under 15 years are subjected to FGM.
More than one-third of children aged 6–16 are not in school due to sociocultural beliefs, poverty and living too far away.
Children living on the streets and subjected to forced begging are an urgent concern, especially in densely populated areas such as Dakar, Diourbel and Kaolack.
Violence and female genital mutilation are also prevalent, with a high incidence in rural areas.
The ‘Joining Forces for Africa (JOFA) – Protecting Children from Violence during the COVID-19 crisis and beyond aims to reduce the levels of physical and emotional violence against children that have risen in Mali.
World Vision is the leader of the JOFA project in Senegal and, in partnership with SOS Children’s Villages and Terre des Hommes, implements JOFA activities in Kolda, Dakar, Diourbel and Kaolack.
At the national level, the six Joining Forces Alliance agencies are involved in joint actions, such as a national behavior change campaign and several advocacy activities. The total budget for the JOFA project in Senegal is more than 2.3 million Euros over 3 years.
Between November 23 and December 9, 2020, the JOFA Project conducted a child protection needs assessment during the pandemic in Senegal.
Risk factors for violence, abuse and neglect increase for children living in conditions of limited displacement and socioeconomic decline.
Isolated due to school closures or jet lag, and without contact with teachers, social workers, and other critical supports, children who experience violence at home find it even harder to get help.
In light of this alarming data, the JOFA project in Senegal is focused on:
- Strengthened national and local protection and response systems.
- Improved protection for children in resilient families, communities and institutions in the context of COVID-19 and during recovery phase.
- Increased capacity and agency of children to prevent and respond to violence against them during COVID-19 crisis and recovery phase.
- Increased learning and sharing of knowledge and best practices related to child protection approaches.
The JOFA project in Senegal is implemented in Dakar, Diourbel, Kaolak and Kolda.
To combat violence against children, the JOFA project in Senegal uses a strategy based on positive parenting and combining different technical approaches and methodologies such as:
• Celebrating Families ” Positive Parenting Approach.
At the heart of JOFA’s activities are caregivers, fathers, mothers and children involved in creating respectful, loving and non-violent homes. JOFA in Senegal recognizes that everyone in the family has a role to play in ending violence against children through thorough research. It is a child-centered framework that focuses on the child as an active citizen in the context of his or her family, community and society.
Bénéficiaires directs
66 371 girls and boys from 0 to 17 years old.
2 500 parents and health workers.
900 education actors..
570 child protection actors.
Bénéficiaires indirects
435 245 children from 0 to 17 years old.
2371262 adults.
JOFA’s activities in Senegal are providing opportunities to strengthen mothers, fathers, caregivers and the wellbeing of children.
The JOFA project’s implementation of “Celebrating Families” sessions in Senegal has been a way to promote communication between parents and children in order to reduce violence against children and improve the family and environmental environment for children.
These sessions are one of the approaches of the JOFA project to support parents and guardians in managing their relationships with their children. These relationships are based on cooperation, communication, listening, mutual respect and understanding of the child’s needs.
In addtition to these approaches, Senegal is part of the JOFA transnational campaign to advocate for positive parenting. The campaign aims to change behaviours and create awareness about the risks that children are facing.
Learn more about JOFA’s transnational campaign to advocate for positive parenting.
LATEST UPDATES FROM SENEGAL
LATEST PUBLICATIONS FROM SENEGAL
Joining Forces for Africa: Learning series on child participation
Needs assessment report: Protecting children during the COVID-19 crisis and beyond
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Contact Senegal Country Coordinator
Contact JOFA Senegal Communication and Advocacy Officer
This publication was produced with the financial support of the European Union.
Its contents are the sole responsibility of Joining Forces and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union