In a powerful display of advocacy, a small but vocal group of feminists gathered in Dakar, Sénégal, this Sunday afternoon to condemn the escalating crisis of femicide. Though fewer than twenty women participated, their impassioned protest resonated across the city, drawing attention to a critical issue in African society news.

Chanting defiant slogans such as «Silence, that’s enough!» and «Death does not belong to you!», activist Aminata Libain Mbengue and her fellow demonstrators directly challenged the Senegalese state. Their message was clear: urgent measures against femicide are long overdue.

«Even the President of the Republic, in his December 31st address, formally committed to implementing measures to curb femicides. Yet, we are still waiting,» stated Mbengue. «We want to know how many more women, how many more girls, must perish before the State of Sénégal takes its responsibilities seriously.» This highlights a growing concern in Sénégal’s politics English discourse regarding governmental accountability.

A call for immediate government response

The feminist spokesperson decried the authorities’ perceived silence, arguing that the pervasive issue of violence against women is often trivialized as mere daily news. «We cannot have a two-year-old baby raped and murdered by three men without a single communiqué from the Ministry of Family and Solidarity,» Aminata Libain Mbengue continued, expressing outrage. «It is a scandal! Every time a woman or girl is killed, we need to see strong actions taken by the government. We remind them that it is their duty to protect the women and girls of this country. Femicide must be recognized in the penal code. The lives of women cannot wait any longer.» This pressing issue is gaining traction in pan-African current affairs, demanding attention beyond Sénégal’s borders.

The demonstration concluded after a few minutes, but the feminists departed with a resolute pledge: they will organize a protest for every future murder of a woman until the state finally delivers a meaningful response and implements lasting change to protect women in Sénégal.