Dakar protests demand urgent action against rising femicides in Senegal

In a powerful display of public outrage, a group of determined feminists took to the streets of Dakar this past Sunday to voice their frustration with the Senegalese government’s inaction on femicides. The small but vocal protest, led by activist Aminata Libain Mbengue, sent a clear message to authorities: enough is enough.

The demonstration unfolded in the capital’s bustling streets, where participants carried signs bearing messages like “Silence is no longer acceptable” and “Their lives do not belong to you.” The gathering was a direct response to the escalating violence against women and girls in the country, with Mbengue questioning the government’s commitment to protecting its citizens.

Grassroots call for systemic change

Mbengue, the feminist spokesperson, expressed her exasperation at the government’s passive stance on femicides, which are often dismissed as routine crime stories in local media. “When a two-year-old child is raped and murdered by three men, we don’t even get a press release from the Ministry of Family and Social Solidarity,” she declared. The scandal is unbearable! Every time a woman or girl is killed, the government must take decisive action. It is their duty to protect women and girls in this country.”

The protesters are demanding the official recognition of femicide in Senegal’s penal code, arguing that legal recognition is the first step toward accountability. Their message was unambiguous: the lives of women and girls cannot wait any longer for justice.

As the demonstration concluded, the group announced their intention to organize a protest following every femicide case until the government finally takes meaningful action. For these activists, words are no longer enough—they want tangible results.