Senegal has taken a major step toward ensuring a more inclusive society by formally integrating disability rights into its revised National Social Protection Strategy (SNPS).
A national workshop held in Dakar on July 2 and 3, 2025, brought together a broad coalition of stakeholders to spotlight the urgent needs of children living with disabilities—an often-overlooked group in policymaking.
Convened by the Child Protection Support Unit (CAPE) in collaboration with the General Delegation for Social Protection and National Solidarity (DGPSN), the workshop was supported by the Ministry of Family and Solidarity, with technical and financial assistance from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS).
According to the Ministry’s statement on social media, the goal is to ensure the rights and needs of children with disabilities are fully addressed in the revised SNPS. This revision aligns with the Senegal 2050 Framework and follows recommendations made by the Council of Ministers on October 9, 2024.
Over the course of two days, more than 40 participants—including government representatives, civil society leaders, disability rights advocates, and international partners—engaged in detailed discussions.
Key challenges were identified: limited accessibility to essential services, lack of reliable data, social stigmatization, and the undervaluation of family caregivers’ roles.
In response, stakeholders proposed several concrete measures, such as expanding access to family allowances, enhancing inclusive education, and establishing psychological support services for families affected by disability.
CAPE, a key player in the technical monitoring committee for the PAPEV program (Project to Support the Protection of Children Victims of Rights Violations), described the workshop as a significant milestone in advancing a more equitable and sustainable protection system.
“It is time for children with disabilities to be recognized as full rights holders, not passive recipients of assistance,” said a representative from civil society, emphasizing the shift toward dignity and agency.
With these new recommendations set to be incorporated into the SNPS, Senegal reaffirms its commitment to building a just and inclusive society—one that upholds the fundamental rights of all its children.
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