In the Face of Climate Challenges: Women in Senegal Forge Path Towards Empowerment

In the vibrant city of Thies, Senegal, the community of Keur Mame El Hadj faces an ongoing battle against devastating floods.

Ndeye Awa Beye, a determined 38-year-old mother of three, resides in this neighbourhood that is significantly affected by the yearly floods. As the rainy season arrives, water overflows from the nearby canal, wreaking havoc on countless homes, including Ndeye Awa’s.

The floods have left Ndeye Awa and her family with no choice but to abandon their home, leaving behind their damaged belongings and even their means of sustenance. The loss of her refrigerator and provisions, particularly rice, has had a profound impact on their livelihoods.

“Every time the rainy season starts, we’re afraid of the consequences, and having to leave our home because of flooding has been one of the hardest things my family and I have had to do”. Ndeye Awa added.

Moreover, Ndeye Awa struggles to find the time to manage her affairs, with her daily routine overshadowed by the constant search for temporary shelter and the need to protect her loved ones.

It is in these heavily affected areas that the Promoting Community Resilience to Flooding in the Commune of North Thies (PRECIT) project, funded by the Zurich Foundation and implemented by Practical Action, has been operating since 2021. By forming strategic partnerships with local partners, particularly women’s organizations and associations like ‘Handicap sikanam cellule Thiès,’ our work aims to strengthen social, political, and financial endeavors in order to enhance community resilience against flooding. Through the provision of crucial tools such as motor pumps, shovels, and wheelbarrows, as well as the implementation of innovative sinks to improve wastewater management, the project is dedicated to empowering those who are disproportionately impacted by climate change.

One of the inspiring figures bringing about change in Thies is Alioune Diop, an active member of the community. Serving as a role model, especially for women, Alioune not only supports his community but also encourages them to participate in Early Warning System training.
“Everyone is affected by this situation, especially women who look after the households, so it’s important to equip them with the right skills to deal with flooding”, says Alioune.

By actively involving the community at risk, disseminating vital messages and warnings, and ensuring preparedness for future disasters, Thies is on a path towards resilience.

Thanks to these efforts, Ndeye Awa and others in the community now have access to essential training on early warning systems. They have learned how to protect themselves, their homes, and their livelihoods from the devastating impacts of flooding. As Ndeye Awa reflects, “The trainings we received from the project allowed us to learn about priority solutions to improve our lives in terms of prevention.”

Awa is not alone; across West Africa the challenges women face is staggering, in Senegal for instance the gender inequality index remains high at 0.523, ranking it 125 out of 162 countries in 2018. The country’s constitution is set up to promote gender equality. However, there is a lack of harmonization between national legislation and international commitments. Women’s participation in the labour market is 38.6% and among males is 65% for 2022.

Access to land, financing mechanisms, as well as the effects of climate change, remain the main challenges to women’s empowerment.

Having said that the work that Practical Action is promoting in the country will not stop in Thies. It will be extended to other strategic areas beyond the city, such as the capital Dakar and the central and eastern regions of Kaffrine and Matam. By addressing a diverse range of climate challenges, from flash floods and river floods to coastal erosion and heatwaves, Practical Action is striving to make a lasting impact on the lives of vulnerable communities.

With a clear vision and ambitious goals, Practical Action is working tirelessly to empower women, enhance community resilience, and combat the impacts of climate change. The work since 2020 have reached nearly 6000 people including about 3000 women. Overall, the ambition is to reach 70,000 people by 2027 with possible extension to Burkina Faso, ensuring that no one is left behind in the face of environmental challenges.