Exhibition

West Africa is one of the regions in the world with the greatest gender inequalities. Thirteen countries in this region are among the twenty most unequal in the world according to the UN Gender Inequality Index. For most women in Niger, Gambia or Senegal, access to education, health care, land ownership, economic independence or political participation is a daily struggle against traditions and social norms, but also against the political and economic powers that maintain the predominant role of men.

But in West Africa, women are also the social, economic and family backbone. Women are responsible for managing the household and ultimately ensuring that their children and husbands have food on the table, and they do not stop until they achieve this. This strength and resilience makes them a powerful force for change.

The exhibition travels to three West African countries—Niger, Gambia, and Senegal—to highlight the difficulties women face, while also telling the stories of those who, through community organising and personal growth, are changing gender roles and inspiring other women to follow in their footsteps.

These are their success stories.

(To view the photographs, click on the slide below each country’s name.).

This exhibition has been made possible thanks to the participation of the women who appear in it, as well as the organisations that work with them.

In Niger, thanks to Fati Amadou, Hama Safiatou and the entire team at the NGO DIKO. In Gambia, thanks to Jankey Jassey, the other students at the Fandema school and the Mbolo Association on the one hand, and on the other hand thanks to Fatoumata Drammeh, Mariama Sillah and WASDA, with a special mention to its director Kebba M. Sillah. In Senegal, thanks to Seynabou Male Cissé, Justine Manga and the USOFORAL team, with a special mention to Aissatou Diallo, as well as the women of the Acció Solidària i Logística community gardens and Adam Diéme.

We are also grateful for the collaboration of ACPP Baleares and ACPP Bilbao for the help offered in Niger and Senegal, respectively.

Text: Clara Roig
Photography: Edu Ponces (Níger), Toni Arnau (Gàmbia) i Pau Coll (Senegal)
Exhibition design: Roger P. Gironès

With support from:

• Fons Català de Cooperació al Desenvolupament
• ACPP Bilbao i ACPP Balears
• Ajuntament de Santa Coloma de Gramenet
• Ajuntament de Terrassa
• Ajuntament de Castelldefels
• Ajuntament de Sant Feliu de Llobregat