Senegal – Sexual Exploitation, Harassment & Abuse in Secondary Schools in Senegal
Author: WUNRN
Date: November 19, 2018
“It’s Not Normal!”
Sexual Exploitation, Harassment, and Abuse in Secondary Schools in Senegal
In Senegal, girls face high levels of sexual and gender-based violence, including sexual exploitation, harassment and abuse, by teachers and other school officials. Unfortunately, these girls have few options for justice. Such cases are not often reported or investigated by school authorities. In some cases, families prefer to negotiate with men who make girls pregnant, including reaching agreement with the men to provide financial support for the girls during pregnancy, rather than to seek redress through official channels. But in many other cases, these girls would not inform their families because the taboos and stigma associated with such pregnancies are so damaging.
The scale and prevalence of sexual abuse against students is unknown, however, research by United Nations agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and academics indicates that school-related sexual and gender-based violence is a serious problem in the country’s education system.
