Senegal Seeks to Harmonize Laws to Improve Access to Justice for Women and ECOWAS Nationals
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A recent workshop convened by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and Senegal’s Ministry of Justice highlighted critical administrative hurdles hindering equitable access to legal rights, particularly for women and citizens of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The meeting, which concluded in Saly on thursday, underscored the urgent need for greater interministerial coordination to streamline procedures related to paternal power and nationality.
Addressing Disparities in Paternal Rights and Freedom of Movement
The workshop revealed notable discrepancies between the Ministries of Justice and the Interior, creating obstacles for citizens navigating the legal system. A particularly pressing issue centers on the exercise of paternal power and its impact on a mother’s ability to travel freely with her children. Despite holding legal custody granted by court decisions, many mothers are routinely denied permission to travel with their children without the father’s explicit authorization.
“We must not find in the 21st century women struggling in airports around the world with their children,” lamented a member of parliament, passionately advocating for change. “In separated families, when the woman travels with her child, she is asked for the father’s permission. And that creates a disaster within families.” The legislator further emphasized the disproportionate burden placed on women, noting they are primarily responsible for a child’s education, training, healthcare, and overall well-being. “So, why when a woman travels with her child, do we ask her for proof?” she questioned.
Nationality Concerns for ECOWAS Citizens
beyond issues of paternal rights, the workshop also addressed challenges faced by ECOWAS nationals seeking to establish residency in Senegal. Participants noted that the Ministry of the Interior frequently denies these individuals a foreigner’s identity card – a document that is,paradoxically,required by the Ministry of Justice for processing naturalization applications. The situation is further intricate by the misuse of ECOWAS identity cards, intended solely for Senegalese citizens, in the naturalization process.
The overarching goal of the workshop was to promote the harmonization of administrative and judicial practices to overcome these systemic blockages.
Calls for Interministerial Coordination and Legislative Reform
Ms. Yassine Fall, Keeper of the Seals and Minister of Justice, who chaired the opening session, stressed the importance of strengthening collaboration between goverment ministries and agencies. “We must support government solidarity with ministries and state agents. There is no harmonization in the request of this text. And that is essential, because to ensure that citizens have confidence in the rule of law, they must be able to enjoy all their rights,” she insisted. ms. Fall reaffirmed the government’s commitment to legislative reform, specifically mentioning the need to “harmonize the law” and “put in place the law of foreigners.”
GIZ Support and Regional Impact
The GIZ regional project, implemented across Senegal, Ghana, Ivory Coast, and Tanzania, is designed to bolster Sustainable Advancement Goal 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) and Aspiration 3 of the African Union’s Agenda 2063. Fatou Téning Faye, a component director for the project, explained that the initiative focuses on improving access to rights for vulnerable populations.”We intervene above all to promote access to rights for vulnerable people,and we see that currently in Senegal,we really need work between ministries,” she noted.
The project’s methodology centers on sharing accomplished strategies between partner countries, adapting them to the specific national context.The Saly workshop specifically addressed internal court procedures and provided guidance on digitizing legal texts – a move expected to significantly enhance access to facts and improve the efficiency of the judicial system.
did you know– Senegal’s workshop aimed to harmonize laws for women and ECOWAS citizens. Discussions focused on paternal rights, nationality, and interministerial coordination to improve access to justice.
Pro tip:– The workshop highlighted discrepancies between Senegal’s Ministries of Justice and Interior. These discrepancies create obstacles for citizens navigating the legal system, particularly regarding travel with children.
Reader question:– How does Senegal plan to address challenges faced by ECOWAS nationals? The workshop addressed issues with residency, including the denial of foreigner ID cards needed for naturalization.
