Women workers in Senegal

TIE met Senegalese labour activists in the course of 2002. Since then close relationships have developed with women workers active in either one of the three trade unions. TIE supports the building of network of women trade union activists across the boundaries of the national trade unions. TIE believes together with the women workers that positive change for women within the trade union movement, within the society at large and within the family can only be realised if women work and struggle together.

In the last several years we have worked together in setting up a network; organising trainings and seminars on issues like labour legislation, leadership development, roots of patriarchy and sexism, negotiations with management and union leadership… Additionally a worker centre was set-up were the women can meet (without the interference of men) and where they can learn to use the computer and get connected trough internet with other women and/or trade unions groups in Africa and the rest of the world.

This empowerment of women workers and activists trough trainings, dialogue and exchanges with women activists from other countries within and outside of Africa will lead to a democratisation and strengthening of the Senegalese labour and women’s movement.