Nimzatt DIA

Gender and international aid: policies and effects of INGO interventions in Senegal.

With a majority of its population living in poverty, Africa is one of the continents most targeted by international solidarity organizations. Women are particularly affected by this poverty, to the extent that East and North Africa are at the bottom of the ladder in terms of progress on gender equality, according to the Global Gender Gap Index 2021. As a result, organizations such as the UN, through Onu Femmes and UNICEF, among others, are making this part of the world a priority in certain areas.

The West African country of Senegal is no exception. Since the 1990s, national and international NGOs have become increasingly established in the country, gradually bringing gender issues to the fore. These organizations have gained expertise in micro-finance and tontines, socio-economic tools long used by women in Senegalese society. At the same time, there has been a surge in women's demands 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 social structures and the political system in Senegal. While most studies on the gender impact of INGO interventions are carried out in conflict zones (Afghanistan, Burundi...), the field of research for this thesis, in this case Senegal, has the particularity of being democratic and stable since independence.

Gender and international aid: politics and effects of the INGO's interventions in Senegal

Being mainly composed of poor countries, Africa is one of the continents most targeted by international solidarity organizations. Women are particularly affected by this poverty, indeed East and North Africa are at the bottom of the scale in terms of progress on gender equality according to the Global Gender Gap Index 2021. Thus, organizations such as the UN, through UN Women and UNICEF, among others, make this part of the world a priority on certain themes.

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 theme of gender. These organizations have, in fact, gained expertise in issues such as micro-finance 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 practiced 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, has the particularity of being democratic and stable since independence.

Directeurs de these: Eric Savarese (Université de Montpellier) and Abdou Rahmane Thiam (Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar).