Local Research on Women’s Empowerment Gains Traction with Senegalese Policymakers

Local researchers convene high-level policy dialogue 

A dissemination and validation workshop convened by local PEP-supported researchers in Dionewar, Senegal, generated strong signals of research uptake. Senior government representatives expressed interest in integrating both the findings and methodology of the Gouvernance Féminine et Innovation (GEFI) project—that show how targeted interventions can strengthen women’s economic empowerment in coastal communities—into national programmes. 

The workshop brought together 36 stakeholders from government institutions, research organisations, civil society, and local communities, reflecting strong cross-sector engagement on gender equality, livelihoods, and local governance. 

Participants included representatives from the Ministry of Fisheries and Maritime Economy, the National Credit Fund for Women within the Ministry of Family and Solidarity, and the Operational Bureau for Coordination and Monitoring (BOCS), as well as local authorities from the commune of Dionewar. Technical and academic partners included the Cégep Office of West Africa, along with researchers from Cheikh Anta Diop University (UCAD), Gaston Berger University (UGB), and the CRDES research centre. The workshop also brought together women’s organisations from the Saloum Islands, ensuring that discussions were grounded in lived experience. 

Programme beneficiaries ground the evidence in lived experience 

A defining feature of the workshop was the active participation of programme beneficiaries, whose experiences brought the research findings to life and highlighted both progress and remaining gaps. 

Souleymane Thior, a resident of Ndionewar and project beneficiary, pointed to concrete gains in employment linked to the project, while calling for its extension and long-term sustainability.  

At the same time, another GEFI participant expressed concerns about targeting, pointing out that not all women were reached equally and calling for better cooperation with other groups working in the area.  

Representatives of women’s organisations from the Saloum Islands further emphasised the importance of community-based structures in ensuring that interventions are inclusive, locally anchored, and responsive to the needs of the most vulnerable. 

Together, these perspectives reinforced the study’s findings—highlighting both progress and remaining gaps in ensuring inclusive and sustained impact. 

What the research found 

The research team, Samba Mbaye, Abdel Karim Araar and Mamadou Ba, presented key findings from the impact evaluation, outlining both achievements and areas for improvement. The study showed that while economic gains are evident, women’s full empowerment—particularly in terms of decision-making and leadership—remains a work in progress. 

Among the key results highlighted: 

A lively discussion followed, bringing together policymakers, practitioners, and community members to reflect on how to translate these findings into policy and practice. Participants highlighted the importance of strengthening women’s networks, improving access to financing, and addressing social and structural barriers that limit participation. 

Policymakers signal commitment to integration 

The workshop also generated strong signals of institutional uptake. Representatives from key government bodies expressed interest in integrating both the study’s findings and its methodological approach into their work. 

“The methodology and findings presented here offer concrete tools to strengthen how we monitor and evaluate our programmes. We will bring these elements to our Board of Directors to explore how they can be integrated into our systems,” said the Chairman of the Board of Directors of BOCS. 

Representatives from the Ministry of Fisheries and Maritime Economy highlighted opportunities to institutionalise the evaluation approaches presented, while officials from the Ministry of Family and Solidarity emphasised the importance of strengthening internal capacities to better use research in programme design and beneficiary targeting. 

Next steps and priority actions 

The session concluded with a forward-looking dialogue to identify priority actions for the next phase. These included expanding targeted support for the most vulnerable women, reinforcing women-led organisations, aligning interventions with local development priorities, extending project duration, and strengthening monitoring and learning systems. 

Decision-makers present at the workshop expressed readiness to integrate these recommendations into planning processes, signalling a strong commitment to evidence-based policymaking. 

From evidence to policy 

The workshop underscores how locally generated, policy-relevant evidence can directly inform government action. By translating research into practical tools and engaging decision-makers throughout the process, the GEFI project demonstrates the potential of PEP-supported research to shape more inclusive and effective development programmes. 

The event was organised in collaboration with national academic and technical partners, with support from the Partnership for Economic Policy (PEP) under the Learning and Knowledge Management Project funded by Global Affairs Canada.