Right To Play in Senegal
Right To Play has worked with local partners since 2021 to deliver youth and girls’ empowerment programs in Senegal.
Today, our programs focus on promoting gender equality, addressing issues gender-based violence and gender discrimination, and supporting the emotional well-being of young people. By supporting inclusion, we are ensuring that children have equal access to quality play-based education and that girls have the same access to education opportunities as boys. Therefore, our programs are also using the power of play to support children’s social development and emotional well-being. In 2023, we reached more than three thousand youth, including young people with disabilities.
Right To Play Senegal's 2024-26 program priorities
- Ensuring more children, especially girls, can access quality play-based primary and secondary education that helps them develop academic and holistic skills and a lifelong love of learning;
- Providing adolescents with education about reproductive health;
- Supporting teachers and parents to support children's mental health and emotional well-being;
- Building strong partnerships with donors, government, universities and Colleges of Education, and local organizations to reach more children and young people;
- Generating evidence on the impact of play on children’s learning and development.
Challenges and Opportunities in Senegal
Girls in Senegal face significant challenges that hinder their education, career aspirations, and futures. Societal pressures, the unequal burden of household chores, and early marriage and pregnancy often force them out of school and keep them from their education. Female genital mutilation (FGM) and gender-based violence remain prevalent and pose serious risks to girls’ health and prospects.
Senegal also faces a shortage of qualified primary school teachers, which affects children's foundational learning, and limits their academic growth and future opportunities. Learners’ education, development, and psychosocial health are also affected by conflict, climate change, and displacement.
Key Statistics:
- 69% of children are not able to read and understand age-appropriate text by age 10 (The World Bank, 2022)
- In 2022, 60% of girls and 55% of boys completed primary school. The completion rates are lower for secondary education, at 43.2% for girls and 34.5% for boys. (UNESCO, 2024)
- Senegal is home to 1.8 million child brides; 1 in 3 young women were married before they turned 18. 422,200 girls were married before the age of 15. (UNICEF)
- Nearly two million girls and women have undergone FGM. Overall, 25% of girls and women have undergone the practice. (UNICEF, 2022)
Key Activities and Impact
Building on our extensive experience with Ministries of Education, school leadership, teachers, and communities across Africa, we aim to improve the quality of primary education. We will launch a new education program in Senegal, leveraging our collaboration with regional and district education structures to address gaps in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education and introduce play-based learning opportunities.
To improve gender equality and girls’ well-being, we work with communities and local child and youth clubs to create safer communities where girls and young women can enjoy their basic rights and become leaders. In Ziguinchor and Sédhiou, we work with Global Affairs Canada and the Liverpool Football Club Foundation to engage and empower girls and young women through sports under the Renforcement des Capacités des filles par le Sport et le Jeu (RECAF-Jeu) program.
"I have dreams, I have ambition. I dream of going to university, have a career, become independent, and make my family proud.” – Christine, 17
We also train educators and parents to apply play-based approaches to promote the emotional well-being of adolescents and youth in vulnerable situations and communities. We will continue to advocate for basic services that are safe, respect their dignity, and provide ongoing emotional support.
Key Supporters and Partners
Support for our programs in Senegal comes from the Government of Senegal through the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Family and Solidarities (formerly the Ministry of Women, the Family and Early Childhood ), Ministry of Health and Social Action, Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Culture, the Municipalities in the Regions of Ziguinchor, the National Federation of Football, Basketball, and Wrestling and the State Extension Services for Gender, Sports, Education, and Health.
Other partners include the Liverpool FC Foundation, YMCA Senegal, Global Affairs Canada, civil society organizations and supporters like you.
Country Office Address
Sacré Coeur 3 VDN N°9366
BP: 17639, Dakar
+221338242046
