A regional meeting dedicated to the diagnosis and drafting of the economic policy framework for women was held this Wednesday in Kaffrine, in the presence of the deputy governor, Lala Camara, local authorities, and a delegation from the Ministry of Family, Solidarity, and Social Action. The main objective was to identify the major obstacles to women's empowerment in the region.

According to Tall Ndèye Sylla, regional director of Family and Women, the assessment highlights several significant challenges. Access to land remains the most pressing issue. "Women still face enormous difficulties in accessing land," she lamented.

She also emphasized that socioeconomic realities and cultural constraints are major obstacles to women's empowerment and their active participation in local development. Added to this are the limitations of the equipment allocation system, which is often geared towards women who are already organized, thus excluding those working in the informal sector. Ms. Tall advocates for "a more equitable and inclusive distribution."

Administrative delays are also among the identified obstacles, but solutions are being considered. The adoption of the National Digital Development Strategy should allow certain procedures to be carried out via mobile phone, facilitating the formalization of economic activities. The Chamber of Trades, already involved in this area, is encouraged to expand its services to reach a greater number of beneficiaries.

Ms. Tall welcomed the bill on the status of women, which she believes has arrived "at the right time." She commended the President of the Republic for his commitment to placing women's issues at the heart of government priorities. This legislation should provide a robust legal framework adapted to the specific realities of women, particularly those living in rural areas.

The women transformers present at the meeting also stressed the need for such a text to frame and legitimize their activities in a context still marked by traditional constraints.

Recalling that women represent 49.4% of the Senegalese population, Ms. Tall emphasized that the ambitions of Vision Senegal 2050 and the National Development Strategy cannot be achieved without the full and complete participation of women. She stressed the importance of an inclusive and collaborative approach: "Men and women must move forward together to make this vision a reality."

This meeting was hailed as an important step towards improving the living conditions of women in Kaffrine and building a legal framework that reflects contemporary realities.