The community godmothers protecting women against violence in Senegal
The “Badienou Gokh” open their homes to women and girls experiencing abuse – and step into the spaces where formal systems don’t reach.
In Tambacounda, Senegal, local women know exactly which door to knock on when the burden of silence becomes too heavy to bear. The person behind that door is Adja Tacko Sall.
Even before I became a Badienou Gokh, people used to come to me to share their problems.
The Badienou Gokh – which means, “community godmothers” or “neighbourhood mentors” – occupy a unique place in Senegalese communities. Known for their proximity and empathy, these trusted godmothers support women and girls who have experienced or are experiencing violence and abuse. They help survivors with the difficult work of speaking out, which can often be risky.
Today, as Secretary General of the Badienou Gokh (pronounced bah-dyen-oo gohk) of Tambacounda, Tacko Sall’s home is often one of the first places where women and girls turn to for support, guidance, and protection. She has become a reassuring presence, a trusted listener, and a first point of support.
In a region where more than a quarter of women experience physical, sexual, psychological, or economic violence, her role often begins where formal justice systems and support services have not reached. She can step inside homes, hear the whispered conversations, and witness the hesitation that comes before seeking help.
For Tacko Sall, this commitment has become a daily responsibility. She raises awareness, provides guidance, refers survivors to health, justice, and social protection services, and mobilizes local actors whenever cases of violence are reported. Through the support of Global Affairs Canada and the KAARANGUE Project – which means “protect” in Wolof and is implemented by UN Women – this community-based work has been strengthened through training and tools that enable more structured support for survivors.
But protecting women also requires resources.
“Sometimes, cases are referred to us, and we do not even have enough money to cover transportation costs to reach them”, Tacko Sall explains.
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A UN Women survey of women’s organizations finds that nearly nine in ten say they can no longer meet current levels of need due to unprecedented funding cuts. Half have introduced waiting lists or are turning away people in need. Two in five expect to shut down, temporarily or permanently, within the next year.
To keep life-saving services afloat, women are paying with their own labour, income, and wellbeing.
Yet this reality has not dampened her commitment. When a young local woman experienced domestic abuse and then found herself without an immediate solution, Tacko Sall welcomed her into her own home for three months. Three months to heal, rebuild her confidence, and envision a different future. Today, the woman has secured both a job and housing.
Tacko Sall’s work goes beyond solidarity. It demonstrates how community-based support can change the course of a person’s life.
Such support can take many forms: A survivor referred in time to healthcare services; a teenage girl helped to pursue her education after experiencing violence; a mother informed of her rights and connected to social services; or a family encouraged to prioritize safety over silence.
Every intervention, no matter how discreet, can become the starting point of recovery and transformation.
For many survivors, shame, fear of judgment, and family pressure remain powerful barriers. When the perpetrator is a family member, seeking help becomes even more difficult. In those instances, the Badienou Gokh are often the first to listen without judgment, provide guidance without exposing survivors, and build bridges between women, families, and available services.
“The Badienou Gokh model reaches women and girls where formal systems often face limitations. Their social roots and the trust they enjoy make them key actors in both the prevention of and response to gender-based violence”, emphasizes Hawa Sow Bousso, Regional Director of Family Affairs in Senegal.
Through the UN Women project, these efforts are gaining new momentum. During the first year of implementation, more than 5,278 people (most of them women) were reached through community discussions, social dialogues, and grassroots outreach.
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This achievement comes in a context where the need for prevention, information, and referral services remains significant, particularly for women and girls who still hesitate to report violence due to fear of retaliation, feelings of shame, or pressure from those around them.
Tacko Sall’s experience is a powerful reminder that protection often begins with a simple gesture: listening, believing, and providing support. And sometimes, it begins with an open door.
For that door to remain open, the work of the Badienou Gokh must be fully resourced – and strengthened. That includes transportation, continuous training, stronger referral mechanisms, and greater recognition of their role within local protection systems.
Investing in the Badienou Gokh – together with communities, authorities, and development partners – means choosing a response to violence against women and girls that is localized, more humane, and more effective.
It means ensuring that no survivor is left alone, no voice is silenced by fear, and every woman and girl can find a helping hand, a trusted listener, and a path to protection within their community.
