Mariama Faye
Senegal
Women and girls possess enormous potential that is still underutilised and whose real value
is unknown.
I live in Dakar, Senegal where I have been working as a consultant to GREFELS
(A research on Women and Law group based in Senegal) since the year 2009.
My work as an independent consultant has included election monitoring,
capacity building workshops, networking, drafting of fundraising proposals,
implementation of research projects and report-writing.
I am a feminist because in my opinion; women are not occupying their deserved
positions in our societies. I believe that as women, we all need to play a role
in unearthing the discriminations that women are subjected to under the guise
of religion, customs and traditions, and the disparities of social classes. There
is a political attempt to stifle the statements of women and that is the reason
why it is necessary to revisit history, reinterpret religious taking into account
trends of our society. Women and girls possess enormous potential that is still
underutilised or whose real value is unknown.
As feminists in Africa, we have a lot to do to in some countries to encourage
the education of the girl child, to fight illiteracy and to prevent them from
being ignorant of their rights. The inadequate education accounts for most
women being victims of injustices and discrimination, something they have
taken in stride simply because society has made them to. The high levels of
violence against women in all our countries is another key issue - mercy killings,
homophobia, stoning, repudiation, underage/forced marriages are some of
the forms of violence that are committed with impunity. Indeed where some
forms of violence seem enshrined in societal norms due to the rise in religious
fundamentalism or the existence of discriminatory laws against women. In
addition, we need to find ways to address the needs of people considered as
vulnerable (people living with disabilities, elderly, widows, etc).
Some of our strategies can include rethinking academic programmes by
highlighting in history and science textbooks for example women who played
leading roles and to introduce gender equality concepts, human rights,
democracy, as early as the primary school stage. It is important that we
popularize what feminism really means.
Personally, I try to draw people’s attention to societal prejudices, discrimination
and gender-based abuses. In my professional life, I strive to work in a true
spirit of respect and solidarity. Although we are often faced with resources and
support challenges, we are able to overcome them thanks to our relationships
with civil society and institutional players. I feel inspired by my mother, my aunts
and my sisters from whom I always learn lessons of generosity and courage. I
feel inspired by the generation of men and women who fought valiantly for us
to have access to education, the right to vote, and other social advantages.
VPS II
. 51