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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 13 May 2022
Armed conflict, violence, climate shocks, displacement and the COVID-19 pandemic have all contributed to the extremely complex humanitarian situation in the Sahel region of Africa. Their impact is felt, first and foremost, by civilians. Common threads running through the narratives of many of the articles in this issue of the Review point to the particular challenges facing women in the Sahel region – owing to their vulnerable position – and the key role they play in their communities.
These women have to cope on their own: their fathers, husbands and sons are either in detention or missing. The challenges they face include obtaining food and access to care, education and employment, as well as rebuilding their lives and homes. In their daily struggle for survival, they also remain prime targets for violent attacks.
Two humanitarian issues arise here. The first and most obvious, that of protection, should not overshadow the increasingly significant issue of women's inclusion and participation. In fact, there has been a shift away from viewing women as vulnerable potential victims and towards recognizing them as effective – even key – agents of change in the region, thus highlighting the importance of investing in women, the driving force behind efforts to rebuild society.1
The stories of the women from the Sahel region featured below2 reflect their desire to rebuild society and their capacity for resilience.
Vanessa Moungar and Yero Baldeh, “A Whole of Society Approach: Women Are Key to Building Resilient Communities beyond COVID-19”, African Development Bank Group, 12 November 2020, available at: https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/whole-society-approach-women-are-key-building-resilient-communities-beyond-covid-19-joint-op-ed-vanessa-moungar-and-yero-baldeh-38961.
The women's stories were collected and transcribed by Halimatou Amadou, Zalissa Sanfo, Mohamed Cissé, Abdoul Rahamane Yaou Diaouga and Mahamadou Hama between 2020 and 2022, and edited by Nour Assaf. Some names have been changed.
3 In Burkina Faso.
4 Equivalent to approximately €7.60 as of May 2022.
5 Equivalent to approximately €103 as of May 2022.
6 Statement recorded in March 2021.
7 The attack took place in March 2019 in Ogossagou, Mali.
8 Statement recorder in February 2020. See also the video available at: https://t.co/Tjg9wB9xUo.
9 Kadidjatou, 's full story, “Niger: Kadidjatou, surprendre malrgré le handicap”, International Committee of the Red Cross, 9 September 2020Google Scholar, is available at: www.icrc.org/fr/document/niger-kadidjatou-surprendre-malgre-le-handicap.