Adolescent Reproductive Health, Including HIV/AIDS

In 1995, a revised Policy Declaration was adopted with new priorities for health and social welfare—incorporating the recommendations of the 1994 ICPD, particularly in the area of reproductive health. The government proposes to subsidize more fully the health care of individuals, respond more effectively to the specific needs of various beneficiary groups, including adolescents/youth, and respect the reproductive rights of individuals. In 1990, the government implemented a National AIDS Prevention Program intended primarily to reduce the prevalence of HIV/AIDS and to manage STIs, with a focus on youth.

Girl’s Education

Article 22 of the Constitution stipulates “all children, both boys and girls, throughout the national territory, have the right to an education.” There is a voluntary government policy aimed at developing programmes to enrol and keep girls in school. The National Action Plan for Women has developed programmes specifically for the education of girls, with a special focus on literacy. Sexual health topics are discussed in the framework of population and development in the high school curriculum. Educational materials include issues relating to sexual health, STIs, fertility, contraception, and relationships between boys and girls.

Labour and Employment

The 2000 Constitution provides in Article 25 that “any discrimination between men and women with regard to employment, wages, and taxes is prohibited unless based on the nature of the work or of the benefits provided.” Furthermore, the Constitution bans child labour of all kinds, and the Government enforced this ban in the formal sector, which was under the purview of the labour law.
The Law No. 06-99 adopted by the National Assembly on January 16, 1999, punishes sexual harassment with a sentence of six months to three years of prison without the possibility of parole and to a fine of 50,000 to 500,000 CFA Francs. If the victim is under 16 years of age, the perpetrator will receive the maximum sentence. The law prohibits the sale of persons, abduction, and hostage-taking.

Gender Issues

Since 1999, Female Genital Cutting (FGC) has been prohibited by law; FGC prevalence rate is about 20% and it varies according to region and ethnic group. The law stipulates that FGC is a criminal offence, carrying a jail term ranging from 6 months to 5 years for persons directly practicing FGC or ordering it to be carried out on a third person.

International Conventions

Senegal has ratified both the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.

Age at First Marriage

According to the Family Code, the minimum age for first marriage for girls is 16 and for men 20. There is no minimum legal age of consent specified. However, the new Constitution incorporates principles contained in the Family Code. Article 18 of the new Constitution reinforces the requirement of consent to marriage by specifying “forced marriage is a violation of individual freedom.” It is prohibited and punished under the conditions stipulated by law