Casamance: Discovering the Kullimaaroo center, a refuge for young girls who are victims of violence

In the heart of Ziguinchor, the Kullimaaroo (rainbow) center stands out as a space of protection and reconstruction for young girls who are victims of violence. Created in 2015 by the Platform of Women for Peace in Casamance, with the support of UN Women, this center has become a symbol of restored dignity and social, educational, and economic reintegration.

A space for welcoming and rebuilding

The Kullimaaroo center is not simply a place of accommodation. It is a refuge where victims regain confidence and hope. "Kullimaroo is a reception center, a space for supporting victims of violence," explains its director, Sira Corréa.

Residents arrive there through referrals: local structures such as AEMO, community actors, and women mediators trained in early reporting. Some former beneficiaries, having escaped vulnerability, themselves become intermediaries, directing new victims to the center.

Comprehensive and sustainable support

The program offered by Kullimaaroo goes far beyond addressing immediate needs. The young women are supported throughout their educational, professional, and economic reintegration. The center finances their return to studies, provides training, and initiates income-generating activities for those who wish to build an independent future.

This holistic approach is made possible thanks to the support of UN Women, which has been assisting the center for nearly ten years with equipment, funding, and expertise. The UN agency contributes to operating costs and strengthens reintegration initiatives, thus consolidating Kullimaaroo's role as a pillar in the fight against violence against women and girls.

Persistent challenges

Despite these advances, difficulties remain. The center is heavily dependent on donors and aspires to financial independence to ensure the sustainability of its activities. "During economic reintegration, some women request funds to start businesses, but we don't have the resources to meet all these requests," the director laments.

Her appeal is clear: that partners and donors invest more in economic reintegration, so that survivors can build a sustainable and independent life.

A symbol of female resilience in Casamance

Beyond simply providing shelter, Kullimaaroo embodies a vision: that of a Casamance where women, long victims, become agents of peace and development. Each young girl reintegrated is a victory against marginalization and a step towards social cohesion.

The Kullimaaroo center is not just a refuge: it is a school of resilience, a place where pain is transformed into strength and where the dignity of young girls is preserved to build a more just and supportive society, the director strongly reminded.