Senegal Overview

Photo of handcarved and painted figures.

Background Information

Human Rights in Senegal: A Point of View

Unlike the majority of African countries, Senegal is considered a stable and democratic country. The separation of power between the executive, the legislative, and Judiciary is also considered to be effective.

By the year 2000, the then socialist ruling party was ousted democratically from ballot box by the national liberal Party commonly known as «Parti Democratique Senegalais (P.D.S.).

It can be said that since independence (1960) until now there's a constitutioinal tradition that aim to guarantee freedom of expression and organiation to all people in this country. However, despite this general theoretical framework, human rights are constantly violated. To illustrate this, I intend to discuss the three following main points. Read more about Human Rights in Senegal.

Family and Community Life

Even before Islam spread to a majority of the nation in the 1900's, polygamy was prevalent. Most marriages were arranged (and forced) by parents before a child's birth. Marriages were seen as social contracts and intended to remain within the extended family. Cousins were often married. Even if a mate was not chosen at birth, parents still had the right to choose when the child arrived at marrying age. Read more about Family and Community Life in Senegal.