The Girl Generation-ALM programmes in Tambacounda, Kedougou, Kolda, and Sedhiou regions of Senegal.
In Senegal, FGM is widespread, affecting approximately 20% of women aged 15-49 (2024), down from 25% in 2019. In Kolda and Sédhiou, the prevalence is 68.4% and 80.9%, respectively, and the rate reaches as high as 96% in some regions, such as Kédougou.
Sene Cory is the Regional Coordinator of The Girl Generation-ALM in Senegal based at Options Consultancy Services. He works closely Amref Health Africa and ActionAid to support, coordinate and guide efforts of the programme to achieve its vision, of a world where girls and women can live free from all forms of violence including FGM.
In this question and answer reflection piece, Sene Cory shares with us the work of the programme in Senegal.
1. Senegal has played a key role in advancing anti-FGM efforts under the TGG-ALM programme. Reflecting on the recently published Senegal Learning Brief, what stood out for you as some of the most critical lessons and insights, especially for others working in similar contexts?
The learning brief focusing on girl champions in Senegal highlighted how central they are to driving change at the community level. It showed how these young girls, through clubs, dialogue, and community outreach, are influencing attitudes around FGM in high-prevalence areas like Sédhiou and Kédougou.
What stood out for me is how girl champions, especially when supported by survivor-led movements and community-based partners like Amref, ActionAid, and local grantees, can play a powerful role in shifting social norms. Their impact is even stronger when they are part of established community structures and supported with the right tools and training.
The report also reminds us that for these efforts to last, we need stronger collaboration with local authorities, more inclusive recruitment (especially of girls in remote or marginalized areas), and increased funding to expand their reach.
2. Cross-border collaboration is central to addressing FGM, especially in regions where the practice spans national boundaries. What lessons have emerged from Senegal’s collaboration with The Gambia, Mali and Guinea-Bissau, and how do you see these influencing future strategies?
Senegal borders several countries where FGM is also practiced, like The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, and Mauritania. These regions are closely connected by trade, shared ethnic groups, and cultural ties, which makes cross-border efforts vital.
One key lesson has been the importance of creating spaces for joint action. The regional coalitions we’ve supported, comprising CSOs, girl champions, survivors, and local leaders have helped coordinate advocacy across borders. For example, the workshop held in Bafata (Guinea-Bissau) brought together stakeholders from four countries to align awareness strategies and strengthen political will.
Through these platforms, communities are not just sharing strategies but also building trust and making joint commitments. This has opened the door to deeper cooperation and the possibility of a stronger sub-regional movement against FGM.
At the grassroots level, small grantees have been instrumental in running dialogues and campaigns in border areas, influencing change beyond Senegal’s borders. Now more than ever, we need partners and donors to continue supporting these cross-border collaborations.
3. The role of community champions, religious leaders, youth, and health workers has consistently come up as a powerful force in shifting norms. In your experience, what makes a great champion, and how has their influence evolved during the programme in Senegal?
A great champion is someone rooted in the community, respected, and driven by a strong personal commitment to ending FGM and any form of violence against any gender. Many of them, whether survivors, young leaders, or religious figures, bring a lived experience and deep understanding of the culture and beliefs that sustain FGM.
What has changed during the programme is how these champions have become more organized, visible, and strategic. With support from TGG-ALM, they’ve received training in communication, advocacy, and behaviour change—and they’re using those skills to lead discussions, challenge harmful beliefs, and propose alternatives.
Being a champion is not a title—it’s earned through commitment and consistent action. They are now recognised not just within their communities, but also across regions, as credible voices for change. Their influence continues to grow as they inspire others to speak out and act.
4. Every programme faces unique challenges. What are some of the biggest hurdles your team has encountered in implementing the programme in Senegal, and how did you navigate them?
One major challenge was the language barrier. The TGG-ALM programme operates in English, but Senegal is French-speaking. This created difficulties in accessing and sharing resources, participating in global meetings, and adapting tools to the local context. Over time, we’ve invested in translation tools and hired interpreters to improve communication and ensure that key content is available in French.
Another challenge was coordinating efforts across consortium partners, some of whom are not physically present in Senegal. While they’re supportive, not being on the ground can make it harder to connect with local realities. To address this, we’ve focused on increasing visibility for Senegal’s context and pushing for more integration of West African experiences in global advocacy spaces.
Finally, sustainability remains a big concern. We’ve seen real progress over the last four years, but for the results to last, we need continued support, stronger alliances like national and regional coalitions, and more investment in amplifying what works.
5. At the same time, there have been important successes worth celebrating. Could you share a moment, story, or milestone that makes you especially proud of the work in Senegal?
One of the moments I’m especially proud of is how we marked Zero Tolerance Day on 6 February 2025. Together with the British Embassy in Dakar, our consortium partners, UNICEF, RADHO, AMNESTY International, and other key players, we co-organized a national celebration under the leadership of the Options-led programme. The British Ambassador, Juliette John, chaired the event, which received incredible recognition.
That same day, we supported the Senegalese Ministry for the Family and Solidarity in organizing another major celebration in Grand Yoff, Dakar, and our grantee partners extended the celebrations to grassroots communities across our intervention regions. From national authorities to local partners, everyone acknowledged this joint effort as a major success.6. As we enter the fifth year of the programme, what are you most looking forward to — both for the movement in Senegal and across the region?
Another key milestone was the sub-regional workshop held in Bafata, supported by Amref Health Africa. It brought together actors from Senegal, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, and the Republic of Guinea to collaborate on shared strategies for ending FGM. This meeting laid the groundwork for what is becoming a true West African movement to abandon the practice — something we’re very proud to have contributed to.
6. As we enter the fifth year of the programme, what are you most looking forward to — both for the movement in Senegal and across the region?
As Regional Coordinator, I’m looking forward to expanding our work’s impact at the national level and supporting efforts to build a stronger regional movement to end FGM.
In Senegal, I hope to see a better-equipped national federation promoting the abandonment of FGM supported by active, structured regional coalitions and strong political backing. This would help create the foundation needed to sustain the progress we’ve made and amplify it in the long term.
Regionally, I’m excited about strengthening partnerships with institutions, donors, and community-based movements. We’ll continue to share the tools, resources, and learnings produced by the TGG-ALM programme to inspire and guide action beyond our borders.
7. TGG-ALM continues to invest in elevating survivor voices and community-led action. Why do you think these strategies are essential in sustaining the anti-FGM movement, especially in West Africa?
There’s a saying in French: “Tout ce que vous faites pour moi, sans moi, vous le faites contre moi.” (“Whatever you do for me, without me, you do against me.”)
That idea sits at the heart of our strategy. While laws and policies banning FGM are essential, they’re not enough. Real change happens when survivors and communities themselves lead the process of abandonment. Their voice, leadership, and willingness to challenge norms make the difference.
Ending FGM means restoring dignity and bodily autonomy — and that can’t happen unless the people affected are part of shaping the solution. When we amplify survivor voices and build local leadership, we create a ripple effect that leads to lasting social change, even across national borders.
8. We’ve talked a lot about impact, strategy, and challenges, but what’s one light or funny moment you’ve had while working on this programme? Or a fun fact about you that your colleagues might not know?
One memory I won’t forget is what I call our “Titanic journey” to Kolda.
We were heading there for a mission with colleagues from Kenya. We left Dakar early, planning to cross through The Gambia via the Trans-Gambian highway. But once we got to the border, we were told we couldn’t proceed — my Kenyan colleagues had single-entry visas, not multi-entry, so they couldn’t re-enter Senegal via Gambia.
So we had to turn back and take a much longer route — through Kaolack, Tambacounda, Vélingara, and finally Kolda. The journey took over 13 hours, with several stops to rest, as we had to make it safely in time for the community workshop scheduled for the next day.
It was exhausting, but also a reminder of how committed we are to this mission. We go the extra mile — quite literally — to stand alongside communities and make change possible.
