Children are at risk
There are around 8.2 million children under the age of 18 in Senegal. Children and young people continue to face high levels of violence and lack of opportunities. Children's rights are not sufficiently protected: 23 % of children are forced to work. Girls are particularly vulnerable, as they are not only more likely to drop out of school, but are also at risk of early marriages, sexual violence and female genital mutilation. Young people, who make up 55% of the population, need a better education and training so that they can become independent.
38%
Of the population lives in poverty
Widespread poverty
While the economic and social situation in Senegal is improving, 38% of people continue to live in poverty.
Poverty is highest in rural areas in the north, south and east. Many people live in rural areas, surviving off farming. They are often affected by climate change.
Due to the harsh living conditions in some areas, many families end up moving to cities in search of a better life.
35%
Of Senegalese children drop out of primary school
Education
The number of children who start attending primary school is 85%. However, 35% drop out before they finish primary school.
UNICEF estimates that before the COVID-19 pandemic, 1.5 million Senegalese children were not going to school. After 2020, and partly as a result of school closures, an additional 3.5 million were affected. Since 2021, the government and other organizations have been working hard to get children back in schools.
4.2 M
People in Senegal are food insecure
Malnutrition
Around 18% of children under the age of 5 are not growing as they should, because they do not get enough food.
Families are often not able to feed their children nutritious food. Climate change and the recurring droughts and floods means that 4.2 million people in Senegal are food insecure, meaning they lack access to sufficient nutritious food.
Senegalese children are amongst the most affected by climate change. Unless measures are taken, more children and young people will suffer.
Together we can make a difference for children in Senegal
Are supported in the community
Learn at our kindergartens and schools
Are supported on their way to independence
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Alima was unemployed and struggling to provide for her children. “At that time, I was about to take my children out of school, because of our financial situation. Luckily, I came into contact with SOS Children’s Villages, and thanks to their support, I did not need to do it,” she remembers. Alima became a working mother and an entrepreneur, launching her own poultry business and coffee shop (photo: J. Tradati).
Working together for sustainable development
In 2015, leaders from 193 countries committed to the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This 15 year plan aims to improve the lives of people by ending poverty, fighting inequality and protecting the planet.
GOAL 1: End poverty
SOS Children’s Villages supports families and communities to keep families together and to help them break out of the cycle of poverty.
GOAL 4: Ensure quality education for all
Every child and young person SOS Children’s Villages supports has access to education, from kindergarten right up to vocational training or university.
GOAL 8: Equal job opportunities for all
SOS Children’s Villages supports young people in developing the skills and self-confidence they need to find decent work and trains parents so that they can have a stable income.
GOAL 10: Reduce inequalities
SOS Children’s Villages works to keep children safe, by promoting peaceful and inclusive communities. We provide training on children’s rights and positive parenting.
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GOAL 16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies
We advocate laws and practices that ensure social inclusion and protection for children and young people without parental care or from marginalized households.
Let’s keep on protecting children and young people!
Many children have been able to find a safe and secure home. With your help, we can continue to change their lives