In many rural communes of eastern and southern Senegal, the pattern was familiar. Men spoke. Women listened. Household decisions were made with a single male head. Four years later, all that balance has shifted.
Between 2019 and 2023, Tostan’s Community Empowerment Program was implemented in 100 communities across the regions of Kolda, Kédougou, Sédhiou and Tambacounda, in partnership with Global Affairs Canada. An independent evaluation now assesses its impact.
The first shift is evident in gender norms.
At the baseline, fewer than 10% of women and girls could name at least two human rights. By the end, more than 87% could. In Salémata (south eastern Senegal), 37% of respondents initially understood the harmful consequences of female genital cutting; by the close of the project, all respondents were able to explain them.
The progress extended beyond knowledge.
Within households, more couples reported making joint decisions about birth spacing and children’s education. In Médina Yoro Foulah, reported cases of physical violence between spouses fell from 30% to 1%. The shift is also visible in public spaces.
One hundred and eighty-two Peace and Security Commissions were established. Women serve on them and act as mediators in local disputes. They also participate in elected village committees that coordinate collective decisions and link with local authorities. Their presence is no longer marginal. It is expected.
A second transformation is particularly visible in the economy.
In Goudiry, the number of women engaged in income-generating activities rose from 44% to 91%. Similar trends were observed elsewhere. Access to small support funds enabled many participants to start or expand businesses. Many report increased earnings and a stronger ability to contribute to household expenses.
The evaluation shows that shifts in social norms and economic empowerment move forward together. When women earn income and participate in decision-making, their social legitimacy strengthens.