A small but determined group of activists took to the streets of Dakar this past Sunday afternoon to voice their outrage over the escalating number of feminicides in Senegal. With just twenty women participating, the protest made a powerful statement, echoing slogans like “Silence is no longer acceptable” and “Your death does not belong to you!”

Aminata Libain Mbengue, a prominent feminist organizer, led the demonstration, addressing the pressing need for government intervention. “Even the President, during his New Year’s address, promised concrete measures to combat feminicides. Yet, here we are, still waiting. How many more women and girls must lose their lives before the Senegalese government fulfills its duty?” she questioned.

Demanding accountability from authorities

The activists criticized the lack of response from authorities, highlighting how feminicides are often dismissed as mere news briefs in local media. “The case of a two-year-old child who was raped and murdered by three men should have prompted an official statement from the Ministry of Family and Social Solidarity. This is a disgrace!” Mbengue declared. “Every time a woman or girl is killed, the government must take decisive action. Recognizing feminicide in the penal code is not optional—it is a necessity. Women’s lives cannot wait any longer.”

The protest lasted only a few minutes, but the message was clear: feminists vow to mobilize after every feminicide until the state finally acts. Their persistence underscores the urgency of addressing this crisis.