Under fire from criticism, the new president Bassirou Diomaye Faye finds himself at the center of a controversy over the representation of women within his government. With only four women out of 30 ministers, or 13% of the total workforce, the under-representation of women is raising eyebrows in a country where parity is an important issue.
During his electoral campaign, Bassirou Diomaye Faye had promised a break with the political practices of the past, a renewal which should include a greater place for women in the spheres of power. However, the reality of the government formed by the president has disappointed many observers and feminist activists.
The collective of 255 personalities and 24 organizations denounced this low representation of women, emphasizing that female competence was not lacking, but rather insufficient political will. This situation calls into question the real commitment of the president and his government to gender equality and the promotion of women in public life.
Aminata Fang Niang, president of the Association of Women Lawyers, expressed her disappointment at this lack of consideration for competent women who could have occupied ministerial positions. The message sent is clear: the representation of women in government must be a faithful reflection of the diversity and competence of Senegalese society.
The Caucus of Women Leaders, a fervent defender of parity, also made its voice heard, emphasizing that in 2024, a female representation of only 13% was unacceptable. He calls for a rapid rectification of this injustice and proposes an extension of the law on parity to all sectors, including at the government level.
Seydi Gassama, director of Amnesty International in Senegal, pleads in favor of a legal obligation of parity in appointed positions, in order to guarantee a balanced representation of women in high political authorities. He emphasizes that it cannot be up to the sole goodwill of politicians to decide the fate of women in politics, but that concrete measures must be taken to ensure equal opportunities.
In conclusion, the underrepresentation of women in the government of Bassirou Diomaye Faye highlights the urgent need for policies and concrete measures to promote gender equality and diversity in decision-making bodies. Senegalese society cannot afford to regress in terms of female representation, and it is imperative that actions are taken to reverse this trend and guarantee true inclusion of women in the country’s governance.
Fatshimetrie therefore invites the president and his government to reconsider their ministerial composition and to demonstrate a real commitment to gender equality. The future and progress of the Senegalese nation are at stake.