The Free Teachers’ Union of Senegal/Authentique (Sels/A) is sounding the alarm after the publication of the 2024 Report of the Group for the Study and Teaching of Population (Geep). This report reveals a worrying situation: “1,202 cases of pregnancy among students aged 12 to 19 recorded in 1,332 public establishments, or 85% of the school map of Senegal.” Faced with the scale of the phenomenon, Sels/A demands “firm sanctions against the adults responsible and concrete actions to stem this scourge.”
According to the report, “the academies of Fatick (166 cases, 13.81%) and Ziguinchor (157 cases, 13.06%) are among the most impacted. The academies of Sédhiou (134 cases, 11.15%), Tambacounda (100 cases, 8.32%) and Kolda (91 cases, 7.57%) follow in this worrying ranking. Dakar records a significantly lower figure with 7 cases (0.58%). “However, for Sels/A, even a single case is “unacceptable”, indicates L’Observateur.
A phenomenon with multiple causes
The union identifies several factors explaining these alarming figures: “the taboo around sexuality, that is to say the absence of adapted and preventive education due to the taboo nature of sexuality in certain communities. The flaws in family supervision and school which constitute a lack of dialogue and insufficient supervision of young girls. Socio-economic precariousness exposes social inequalities, particularly in the most affected regions, further exposing young girls to risky behavior. long distances to get to school and the absence of secure boarding facilities exacerbate the vulnerability of students.
-The demands of Sels/A
The Sels/A considers this situation as “a multidimensional crisis” requiring an urgent response from the State and local authorities. Among the solutions proposed are awareness programs to initiate campaigns on sexual and reproductive health to break taboos. Student protection which aims to secure educational establishments and the routes taken by students. Strengthening education: Introduce reproductive health education from the middle cycle with the involvement of teachers, NGOs and community leaders. Psychological support by creating advice and listening centers to support affected students. Justice, the fact of involving the judicial authorities to sanction any adult involved in a pregnancy of a minor. ”
Sels/A also campaigns for the empowerment of young girls, particularly through access to school scholarships and the fight against early marriage. The union calls for strengthened collaboration between teachers, parents and social partners to prevent these social tragedies which hinder the educational and professional future of young girls. The union reaffirmed its commitment to working for a healthy, secure school environment conducive to the development of students, where every young girl can learn with dignity and envisage a promising future.
