Tackling sex trafficking in Senegal: An intervention co-constructed with survivors

Analysis of sex trafficking in Senegal reveals hotspots where criminal networks have developed sex tourism or trafficking of girls/women, leading to violence against them. Victims are often deceived or forced into sexual exploitation by recruiters and traffickers who take advantage of their state of poverty. Many are migrant women and underage girls.

This project aims to co-create with survivors an intervention to develop tailored solutions and strengthen the protection of victims of sex trafficking in the areas of intervention. It will include: a study of the prevalence, causes and consequences of sex trafficking in the intervention areas; a synthesis of knowledge with survivors to identify tested and effective interventions to tackle the negative effects of sex trafficking; development of interventions with the communities; and evaluation of the intervention.

The project will help to reduce the exposure of women and girls to sexual exploitation and strengthen mechanisms for providing holistic care.

This project is funded under the Addressing Neglected Areas of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in Sub-Saharan Africa (ANeSA) initiative. ANeSA is a seven-year CAD29.9-million initiative funded by IDRC, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and Global Affairs Canada. Its primary objective is to support greater realization of critical sexual and reproductive health and rights by underserved populations in Africa.