Strengthening social cohesion and conflict prevention during elections in Senegal

This project aims to support democracy and socio-political stability in Senegal through capacity building and the promotion of peace cohesion and political and social dialogue to prevent the difficulties inherent in the electoral process. Project activities include: (1) supporting capacity building for women youth groups and grassroots community organizations on conflict prevention dialogue and mediation; (2) organizing a national consultation and media training workshops on peacebuilding conflict prevention and combating information pollution; (3) set up a digital early-warning platform by creating a network of “whistle-blowers” in different regions of the country who observe election-related tensions and violence; (4) organizing dialogues between women and political religious traditional and customary actors; (5) producing and disseminate a study on the impact of electoral violence on women in Senegal; and 6) supporting capacity building for the High Council for Social Dialogue. This project will strengthen the capacities and means of action of more than 2 380 people 60% of whom are women. Several activities to promote peace cohesion and political and social dialogue before during and after the elections are scheduled to take place throughout the country. The indirect beneficiaries are the entire Senegalese population estimated at over 18 million people 50.2% of whom are women and girls.)

The expected results of this project include: (1) access to information and the fight against misinformation and hate speech promoted before during and after elections; (2) strengthening citizen participation and empowerment particularly of young people and women; (3) strengthening intra- and inter-community mediation for conflict resolution and peacebuilding; and (4) strengthening the capacities of national institutions for the preservation of social cohesion and prevention of conflict.