Ongoing project
Justice, Actions, Voices, and Empowerment for Women and Girls in Senegal (JAVA project)
October 2024 – December 2027
CAD$ 1 500 000
Marcelle and Jean Coutu Foundation
Réseau Siggil Jigeen (RSJ), Comité des Femmes de la Fédération Sénégalaise des Associations de Personnes Handicapées (CF-FSAPH), Association des femmes Juristes sénégalaises (AJS), RÉSEAU DES JEUNES pour l’abandon des mariages précoces et des MGF (RJPAMGFME), Association rurale de lutte contre le SIDA pour le développement économique et social (ARLS/DES), Rassemblement Sénégalais pour le bien-être de la femme (RASEBEF), Fédération des Associations Féminines du Sénégal - cellule régionale Saint-Louis (FAFS/SL), Jgen Sénégal
women and girls
Living with intersecting forms of discrimination (disability, poverty, illiteracy, isolated region, sexual orientation, etc.), and/or survivors of gender-based violence.
The JAVA project in Senegal aims to combat gender-based violence (GBV) by strengthening prevention services and support for survivors. From 2024 to 2027, it will operate in the regions of Matam, Saint-Louis, Dakar, and Thiès, primarily targeting women and girls facing multiple forms of discrimination.
Through an inclusive and collaborative approach with local organizations, JAVA-Senegal will contribute to advancing gender equality and ensuring better access to human rights for women and girls in all their diversity.
The project focuses on two key areas:
✔ Preventing gender-based violence and discrimination, particularly related to disabilities.
✔ Improving services for GBV survivors, facilitating access to healthcare, justice, and education.
Project Context
Growing Resistance to Women's Rights
In recent years, Senegal has seen a rise in anti-feminist and anti-gender discourse, slowing progress on gender equality. Despite legislative advances, gender-based violence remains a significant issue:
- 78% of Senegalese women have experienced domestic violence (EU, 2021).
- 31% of girls are married before the age of 18.
- 37% of adult women have lower education levels than men.
The challenges are vast: forced and early marriages, limited access to sexual and reproductive rights, underrepresentation in decision-making bodies, discrimination against women with disabilities, and the marginalization of GBV survivors.
The JAVA project in Senegal seeks to address these issues by developing solutions tailored to the needs of women and girls, strengthening services, and directly involving communities in implementing initiatives.
Results that matter
8
partner organizations
Our partners
Thank you to our financial and implementation partners, without whom this project would not be possible.
