Senegal

Members

The National Coalition of Associations and NGOs in Favor of Children (CONAFE Senegal) stands as a prominent child rights organization established in 2004, uniting over 100 civil society organizations across Senegal’s 14 regions. Operating through four strategic geographical basins, CONAFE addresses critical child protection issues including child begging, sexual abuse, early marriages, female genital mutilation, and child labor. The organization’s structure enables targeted responses to region-specific challenges while maintaining a coordinated national approach to child rights advocacy.

As a resource coalition, CONAFE Senegal works at multiple levels – from local to international – to monitor and influence child rights policies, particularly focusing on the implementation of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC). The organization’s mission centers on defending and promoting positive changes for children’s rights, while ensuring children’s active participation in programs affecting them. Guided by principles of solidarity and integrity, CONAFE emphasizes the best interests of the child, prioritizing life, survival, and development while advocating for non-discrimination in all its interventions.

Polaris Asso, based in Dakar, Senegal, is a dynamic youth-focused organization that leverages digital technology to address critical challenges facing young people in West Africa. Through their innovative five-step methodology, they combine knowledge production, program implementation, and advocacy to create meaningful impact in areas including child protection, digital citizenship, and youth empowerment. Their flagship initiative, launching in 2025, is a comprehensive support center for victims of online violence, with a particular focus on young women and girls, developed in partnership with Senegal’s Personal Data Protection Commission (CDP).

The organization is at the forefront of digital safety and youth development, currently implementing their “MEN NAA KO” project (2024-2026) in collaboration with the French Embassy in Senegal, which promotes a free, safe, and inclusive digital environment for youth civic participation. Polaris Asso also operates a sophisticated online monitoring system to track and analyze digital threats, including hate speech and disinformation, while simultaneously developing an innovative digital inclusion platform (lesbonsclics.sn) to equip Senegalese youth with essential digital skills. Working alongside key partners including UN Women, UNICEF, and Free Senegal, Polaris Asso exemplifies a holistic approach to youth protection and empowerment in the digital age.