President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has directed the government to draft an Orientation Law on the Economic Empowerment of Women (LOAEF) to enhance women’s access to economic opportunities and promote their full participation in Senegal’s socio-economic development.
Announced during last week’s Council of Ministers, the initiative is supervised by the Ministry of Family and Solidarity, with support from the Belgian Development Agency (ENABEL).
Speaking at the official ceremony, Abdou Karim Diouf, Chief of Staff at the Ministry of Family and Solidarity, highlighted that the law aims to establish a structured legal and strategic framework to drive women’s economic empowerment.
With women comprising 49.4% of Senegal’s population and 39% of the workforce, yet owning only 13.8% of the land, Diouf stressed the need for policies that address these disparities. Many women-led businesses remain in the informal sector, limiting their growth and financial security.
ENABEL Country Director, Abou Fassi, underscored the broader impact of the initiative, emphasizing its potential to unlock greater economic opportunities for women across Senegal.