Gender Justice and Legal Empowerment Innovations in Rural Senegal: An Action Research Study

Gender-based violence (GBV) remains a significant issue in rural Senegal, hindering women's legal empowerment and access to justice. This study employed participatory action research (PAR) involving key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and participant observation in three rural communities. Data analysis utilised thematic content analysis to identify themes related to GBV prevention and legal aid access. The findings indicate that community-based interventions significantly improved women's knowledge about their rights and how to seek justice, with over 70% of participants reporting increased confidence in navigating the legal system. Community-led initiatives have proven effective in enhancing gender justice and legal empowerment for rural Senegalese women, necessitating replication and expansion of these models. Government agencies should collaborate with local communities to scale up successful interventions. Funding bodies are encouraged to support further research and implementation efforts.