A giant red heart stands in the middle of Nelson Mandela Square. This symbol does not represent an ordinary romantic celebration. It marks the urgency of a social and societal crisis. Gorée Island, accustomed to the ebb and flow of history, lent its centuries-old setting to a contemporary cause this Tuesday, November 25, 2025. Senegal chose this place of remembrance to launch its annual 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign.

The international community observes this period from November 25 to December 10. The theme chosen for this edition targets a specific threat. It is entitled: "Together, to end digital violence against all women and girls".

The ceremony brought together numerous political and diplomatic figures. Maïmouna Dieye, Minister of Family, Social Action, and Solidarity, presided over the event. She was accompanied by the Prefect of the Dakar Department, the Mayor of Gorée, Augustin Senghor, and Member of Parliament Hélène Diouf. Other distinguished guests included Jean-Marc Pisani, Ambassador of the European Union; Carine Robarts, Ambassador of the United Kingdom; Hélène De Bock, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium; Claudia Rosero Mosquera, Ambassador of Colombia; Arlette Mvondo, Resident Representative of UN Women in Senegal; and Professor Amsatou Sow Sidibe, President of the National Human Rights Commission.

The choice of the island was not a logistical accident. It was symbolic, as the minister explained in her opening address. She emphasized the link between the pain of the past and the challenges of the present.

"It is with a very special emotion that we come here to Gorée, a symbolic place of remembrance, to launch the national campaign of the 16 days of activism against violence against women and girls," she said.

The minister then explained the connection between systemic historical violence and modern cyber violence. “This choice is not accidental; it is the result of sustained reflection aimed at linking systemic violence and the dehumanization of the past with the new forms of domination and exclusion of the digital age. This highly symbolic location reminds us of the urgent need to guarantee the integrity and dignity of women and girls not only in physical spaces but now also in virtual spaces. This is in line with the theme of this year’s campaign, ‘Together to End Cyber Violence Against All Women and Girls.’ This theme is perfectly relevant to current events and their consequences. With the rise of social media, cyber violence has indeed multiplied, becoming a new and widespread weapon of silent destruction,” she stated.

The statistical data she revealed supports this finding. The ministry specified that it had commissioned a national benchmark survey on the subject. Collaboration with the United Nations system and the ANSD (National Agency for Statistics and Demography) made it possible to quantify the scale of the phenomenon. The prevalence of cyber violence experienced before the age of 18 is 20.4%.

The overall picture painted by the minister reveals a critical situation for the majority of women. "More than 80% of women reported experiencing online violence at some point in their lives. The misuse of social media through disinformation, defamation, harassment, the use of personal data without consent, threats, and denigration poses a serious threat to women and girls, exposing them to serious consequences, particularly regarding their mental health. Ladies and gentlemen, the digital world must be a space for empowerment, not a new frontier of violence," she stated.

Faced with this threat, the State is attempting to adapt its response to this evolving nature of violence. In this regard, the government official noted that the legislative framework has recently undergone changes. Law 2020-05, adopted in 2020, strengthened the provisions of the Penal Code concerning rape and pedophilia. Furthermore, the "New Deal for Technology" strategy, launched by the new authorities, appears to support these measures, particularly with its focus on promoting secure access to digital technology. Promoting cyber literacy among the public and the administration is among the specific objectives. This aims to prevent risks such as hacking and fraud.

The State's strategic planning is long-term. The second national action plan for the eradication of gender-based violence will cover the period 2026-2030. The Directorate of Family Affairs is developing this document. It will serve as a single reference point for coordinating the actions of the State, technical and financial partners, and civil society.

Supporting victims is another pillar of government action. The minister mentioned the construction of holistic support centers. A multi-sectoral collaboration protocol formalizes this commitment and links the Ministries of Justice, the Interior, the Armed Forces, Health, and Family. The goal is to offer comprehensive support to victims.

Social norms and attitudes remain a significant obstacle. The government is relying on awareness campaigns to bring about behavioral change. Maïmouna Dieye cited several ongoing initiatives. The Kaarangé project, a partnership with UN Women and funded by Global Affairs Canada, provides training to empower women. The SWEDD project, supported by the World Bank and receiving technical assistance from UNFPA, focuses on communication to dismantle harmful norms.

The 2025 campaign program seems to demonstrate this desire to reach all segments of society. Specific actions are planned, including raising awareness about mental health and online safety, which will involve students from Cheikh Anta Diop University (UCAD). Discussions with television series producers will address the portrayal of violence in the media. Law enforcement and defense forces will participate in a dedicated workshop on digital violence. A roadshow will tour the suburbs of Dakar.

The minister made a direct appeal to three categories of stakeholders to ensure the success of the fight. She addressed policymakers, civil society, and the community.

“This mobilization targets three key players whose commitment is essential for ultimate victory. First, to decision-makers—and I include myself in this appeal—we must demonstrate unwavering financial and political commitment to the effective implementation of all our policies and legislative framework. To civil society and partners, our success depends on pooling resources, coordinating efforts, and establishing a genuine coalition for action. Your role in raising awareness, building capacity, and fostering dialogue is undeniable. And finally, to the community—citizens, opinion leaders, and the media—the fight against violence is everyone’s responsibility. It rests on personal and civic responsibility,” she declared.

Collective responsibility is at the heart of the message delivered in Gorée. The minister emphasized the need to denounce abuses and share knowledge about prevention: “We must act collectively by breaking the silence to combat impunity, denounce without fear, share knowledge on prevention, and facilitate the rapid support of victims. The key to definitively eradicating this phenomenon of violence lies in our ability to mobilize together. Cyberviolence is not inevitable; it is a fight.”

"A fight we can win if we fight together."

It was on this promise of support that the 16-day campaign officially began in Senegal.