Publication: Senegalese Women Remake Their Culture
Date
1998-12
ISSN
Published
1998-12
Author(s)
Easton, Peter
Abstract
In 1995, female literacy countrywide in
Senegal was just over half of the rate for men, and the
discrepancy was greater in rural areas. TOSTAN, literally
means "breaking out of the egg" in Wolof, the
language spoken by the majority of Senegal's people and
is among a number of innovative and rural development and
women's education initiatives that are addressing the
problem at its sources. It offers an 18-month learning
program that combines basic education and national languages
with practical development issues, and provides rural people
with the resources to improve their standard of living while
fostering increased confidence in their way of life. Its
popularity among rural women participants broke all records.
Shortly after completing their training, the women of
Malicounda utilized the program to address the custom of
female circumcision. This note discusses elements that
contribute to TOSTAN's successful impact in education
and sustainable development.
Citation
“Easton, Peter. 1998. Senegalese Women Remake Their Culture. Indigenous Knowledge (IK) Notes; No. 3. © World Bank, Washington, DC. http://openknowledge.worldbank.org/entities/publication/19685ca0-96c1-599c-9f43-7a9cadb9d01c License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”