Women's empowerment and territorial equity: Marie Angélique Mame Selbé Diouf's roadmap

The handover ceremony between the outgoing Minister of Family, Social Action and Solidarity, Ms. Maïmouna Dièye, and her successor, Ms. Marie Angélique Mame Selbé Diouf, took place this Monday, June 8, in Dakar, in the presence of administrative authorities, institutional partners and ministry staff.

In her speech, the incoming minister first praised "the important and immense work accomplished" by her predecessor during 26 months to advance the cause of the family, women, children and vulnerable people through social action, national solidarity, and in respect of the Senegalese values of mutual aid and cohesion.

Placing her actions under the banner of "rootedness and openness," in the spirit of Léopold Sédar Senghor, Ms. Diouf emphasized the need to preserve the fundamental values of Senegalese society, particularly respect, human dignity, solidarity, compassion, work, and non-violence. These values, she believes, must be reflected in the very core of the modern Senegalese citizen.

The new minister affirmed her commitment to breaking with a welfare-based approach and making family, social action, and solidarity genuine drivers of sustainable development. "Our political vision for managing family, social action, and solidarity breaks with the welfare model, although it is necessary to provide occasional support to those going through a crisis or a difficult and complex situation. Our vision aims to make family, social action, and solidarity a catalyst for sustainable development," she declared.

She recalled that her department is fully aligned with the strategic orientations of the National Transformation Agenda Senegal 2050, the Master Plan 2025-2034 and the National Development Strategy 2025-2029, whose ambition is to build "a sovereign, just and prosperous Senegal".

To realize this vision, Ms. Diouf presented the three main budget programs that will structure her ministry's work. These are the Gender and Women's Economic Empowerment Program; the Family, Childhood, and Social Protection of Vulnerable Groups Program; and the Steering, Coordination, and Administrative Management Program. According to her, these programs will contribute to strengthening national human capital and promoting social and territorial equity.

Under the impetus of the government, Marie Angélique promises a "paradigm change", that of concrete action, rapid results, government solidarity and a cross-cutting approach.

A call to the women of Senegal

In a particularly striking passage of her speech, the minister addressed Senegalese women directly from all regions of the country, whom she described as "warriors of the Nation" and "heirs of Ndatté Yalla and Aline Sitoé Diatta." "I am listening to you and I hear you," she declared, inviting them to join forces with the government to improve child protection, combat violence against women, eradicate female genital mutilation, and promote equal opportunities.

“Let’s act to eliminate the genital mutilation that taints the lives of our girls. Let’s act collectively against violence against women. Let’s focus more on prevention and identifying potential cases and act effectively before irreparable harm occurs,” Ms. Diouf stressed.

Addressing women entrepreneurs, students, mothers, and workers, she states: "Your autonomy is an investment in the future, prosperity, justice, and equity. You are the engine and the recipients of productive investment."

The minister also highlighted the strategic role of women in the diaspora in Senegal's economic development. According to her, public funding and subsidies should be used more to support productive investment in order to strengthen food sovereignty and national prosperity. "You are a growth multiplier, and our country must capitalize on the significant potential you represent. It is with you, women, that the concept of the demographic dividend regains its full meaning. Investing in women means working for prosperity. Investing with women means promoting social justice and territorial equity," she stated.

To the most vulnerable populations, Ms. Diouf promised government action focused on results and support. "We will work to ensure that no Senegalese feels left behind and that no territory feels neglected," she declared, recalling that national solidarity and social action are constitutional rights.

Aware of the oversight of public policy and the moral obligation, the former member of parliament assured that every program, project, and budget line within her department would be geared towards concrete results for the people. She particularly emphasized the importance of equity and transparency in women's access to funding, in order to strengthen their contribution to the country's economic development.

Finally, Ms. Marie Angélique Mame Selbé Diouf expressed her gratitude to the Head of State and the Prime Minister for the trust placed in her. She also thanked her family and her former colleagues at the National Assembly and the Vocational Training Center.