Improving Girls’ Education and Wellbeing in Senegal: The Place of Parents in Girls’ Schooling

Abstract

Senegal has a predominantly young population, with about 57.7% under the age of 18 years. Therefore, Senegal faces a strong demand for education and healthcare, particularly sexual and reproductive health and the upholding of the rights of children, particularly girls. Moreover, it should be noted that out of this young population, 47% are not in school. This further complicates the need to ensure that all children receive an education. Even though Senegal has achieved greater equity at the elementary and middle levels, statistics show that the enrolment numbers of girls decrease significantly as they advance in grades. For example, in primary school, girls’ GER stood at 87.58% vs 34.60% in secondary school, therefore access to school for girls has not been translated into retention and completion at the secondary school level.