ACTIVISTS AND FEMINISTS IN CÔTE D'IVOIRE AND SENEGAL

This awareness project raises awareness of how feminist impacts thelives of women in Cote d'Ivoire and Senegal. When asked about the existence of an African feminism, some Senegalese activists explained that they reject feminism in its Western conception, and call for an adaptation of its principles to the realities of Africa. In Côte d’Ivoire, meanwhile, activists focused more on intergenerational differences in attitudes, particularly with regards to the inclusion of the LGBTQ+ community within their actions. The country’s younger feminists seemed more open to this. Interviewees in Côte d’Ivoire shared the view that female empowerment, particularly by improving access to education for women and girls, is the priority issue for achieving gender equality. This is followed by genderbased violence (GBV) which, according to the activists, particularly affects girls within the education system. Challenges relating to the strengthening of legal protection and discrepancies between statutory and customary law also remain significant obstacles. For Senegalese activists, the need to invest in female health and education is a priority issue. Ending violence against women also features among the priorities for improving the conditions of women in Senegal.