Nimzatt DIA

Gender and International Aid: Policies and Impacts of INGO Interventions in Senegal.

Comprising mostly poor countries, Africa is one of the continents most targeted by international aid organizations. Women are particularly affected by this poverty; so much so that East and North Africa rank at the bottom in terms of progress on gender equality, according to the 2021 Global Gender Gap Index. Consequently, organizations such as the UN, through UN Women and UNICEF, among others, have made this part of the world a priority for certain issues.

Senegal, a country in West Africa, is no exception to this reality. Since the 1990s, the presence of national and international NGOs has become widespread in the country, gradually bringing the issue of gender to the forefront. These organizations have, in fact, gained expertise in microfinance and tontines—socioeconomic tools long used by women in Senegalese society. Furthermore, there has been a surge in women’s advocacy and a boom in informal economic activities carried out by women through social networks. The aim of this thesis is to study the transformative effects of INGO gender programs on Senegal’s social structures and political system. While most studies on the impact of INGO interventions in terms of gender are conducted in conflict zones (Afghanistan, Burundi, etc.), the research setting for this thesis—namely Senegal—is unique in that it has been democratic and stable since independence.

Gender and International Aid: Politics and Effects of INGOs’ Interventions in Senegal

Composed mainly of poor countries, Africa is one of the continents most targeted by international aid organizations. Women are particularly affected by this poverty; in fact, East and North Africa rank at the bottom in terms of progress on gender equality according to the 2021 Global Gender Gap Index. Consequently, organizations such as the UN, through UN Women and UNICEF, among others, prioritize this region on certain issues.

Senegal, a West African country, is no exception to this reality. Since the 1990s, the establishment of both national and international NGOs has become widespread in the country, gradually advancing the issue of gender. These organizations have, in fact, gained expertise in areas such as microfinance and tontines, a socio-economic tool long used by women in Senegalese society. In addition, we are witnessing a surge in women’s demands and a boom in informal economic activities carried out by women thanks to social networks. The purpose of this thesis is to study the transformative effects of INGO gender programs on the social structures and political system of Senegal. While most studies on the effect of INGO interventions in terms of gender are carried out in conflict zones (Afghanistan, Burundi, etc.), the research field of this thesis—in this case, Senegal—is unique in that it has been democratic and stable since independence.

Thesis advisors: Eric Savarese (University of Montpellier) and Abdou Rahmane Thiam (Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar).