A modest yet impactful demonstration unfolded this Sunday afternoon in Dakar, Sénégal, as a determined group of feminists vociferously called for an end to femicide. Though comprising no more than twenty individuals, their message resonated clearly through the city streets. Chanting powerful slogans such as « Silence, enough! » and « Death does not belong to you! », activist Aminata Libain Mbengue and her fellow campaigners directly challenged the Sénégalese government to act decisively.

« Even the President of the Republic, in his December 31st address, explicitly stated his intention to implement measures to curb femicides. Yet, we are still waiting, » Aminata Libain Mbengue articulated. « We demand to know how many more women, how many more girls, must perish before the State of Sénégal fulfills its responsibilities. »

Government’s silence draws criticism

The feminist spokesperson condemned the authorities’ perceived indifference to a crisis she believes is often trivialized and dismissed as mere news fodder by the press. « We cannot have a two-year-old baby raped and murdered by three men without a single statement from the Ministry of Family and Solidarity, » Aminata Libain Mbengue asserted. « This is an outrage! Every time a woman or girl is killed, we expect strong actions from the government. We remind them that it is their fundamental duty to protect the women and girls of this nation. Femicide must be formally recognized within the penal code. The lives of women cannot wait any longer. »

After a few minutes, the demonstration concluded, but not without a clear directive from the feminists: they vowed to organize a protest following every future murder of a woman, continuing until the Sénégalese state finally delivers a meaningful response.