In the heart of Dakar’s neighbourhoods, where the economic and structural problems of a changing society are juxtaposed, there are dedicated women who work voluntarily with the health districts, visiting households and talking to women and children: the Bajenu gox. This Wolof expression, literally meaning « neighbourhood godmother », transcends mere words to embody a powerful symbol of female leadership, rooted in the rich culture of Senegal. Behind the scenes, they are often respected figures in their neighbourhoods and villages, playing a vital role in promoting maternal, child and adolescent health. To mark 8 March, the day on which women are celebrated, Le Quotidien met these « confidants » to highlight their work. They are small hands who accomplish great things.

A phone call is all it takes to find your way around. Even children can lead you to the home of Madame Ndèye Fatou Diallo. All you have to do is ask: « Where is Yaay Fatou Diallo, national president of the Bajenu gox in Senegal? The reputation of this sixty-year-old woman extends beyond the Grand-Dakar/Zone B district. Her fame is justified by the fact that she has lived in the area for so long, but also by the community work she has been doing for over a decade in her neighbourhood, particularly in the areas of health, safety and the environment. These activities have earned Yaay Fatou Diallo the title of Bajenu gox (neighbourhood godmother). This Senegalese initiative was launched by President Abdoulaye Wade in 2010 in all 14 regions of Senegal, and put into practice by President Macky Sall. Since then, the project has been conducting awareness-raising missions to accompany and guide women, particularly mothers and children, on the road to health, in order to boost and perpetuate the government initiative. Ndèye Fatou Diallo, who heads the project as national president, is constantly out in the field. She visits neighbourhoods, listens to women’s concerns and provides support where it’s needed.  A confidante. « I don’t have any resources, but I’m involved in all the struggles to improve development in my neighbourhood, particularly in the areas of health, safety and the environment. We share our experience with all women, whether they are teenagers, young people or married women. We are trained to raise awareness of the reproductive health of mothers and children, and the importance of monitoring pregnancies and immunising children », explains Ndèye Fatou Diallo with pride.

Impressive poise, despite the weight of age, she exudes an aura that immediately attracts attention. Her face is tattooed with years of experience and dedication to her community. In her eyes you can see determination and resilience. « I’m a registered nurse. I worked for over 30 years at the Gaspard Camara Hospital and was responsible for the vaccination service. All the Bajenu gox have experience, of course those who trained in 2009, 2012 and 2013… The Bajenu gox are well structured and organised. In each region, department, commune and district, there is a president of the Bajenu gox », said the president of the Bajenu gox of Senegal. She is also a member of the High Council of Local Authorities (Hcct). Mme Ndèye Fatou Diallo and her colleagues say they work voluntarily with health centres to serve the population. The Bajenu gox programme, set up and organised by a decree of the Ministry of Health and Prevention, first went through the Department of Mother and Child Health (Dsme), headed by Dr Amadou Doucouré, then through the health districts, before being rolled out to neighbourhoods.

120 Bajenu gox co-opted for the West District

Ndir Coumba Dieng, who we met in Yoff, is the president of the Bajenu gox in the West District, centred on the Philippe Maguilène Senghor health centre. This district includes Yoff, Ngor, Ouakam, part of Mermoz-Sacré Cœur, Cité Diamalaye, Nord-Foire, Ouest-Foire and Cité Djily Mbaye. « We salute President Abdoulaye Wade, who had the idea of creating this project. And when Macky Sall came to power in 2012, he didn’t change the Bajenu gox. We’re very grateful to him for that too, » she says.

Part of the first cohort of Bajenu gox trained in 2010, Ms Ndir Coumba Dieng, a woman with a generous heart and a fighting spirit, embodies the quintessence of community involvement in the commune of Yoff. As a Bajenu gox and president of Gie Wa Keur Mame Diarra Bousso, she plays a crucial role in promoting maternal and child health. « There are 120 Bajenu gox in the West District, and our mission is to serve our community », says the President of the West District Bajenu gox, highlighting the challenges posed by the increase in the number of people claiming to be Bajenu gox without training, following President Macky Sall’s decision to motivate them. In addition to her role as president of the Bajenu gox in the West District, Coumba Dieng is also a local councillor at Yoff town hall. « I’m a local councillor at Yoff town hall, having been appointed to lead the Bajenu gox on the electoral lists thanks to Abdoulaye Diouf Sarr, the former mayor of Yoff. I represent all the Bajenu gox and all the women in the commune of Yoff », she says proudly.

« We lost some colleagues due to Covid-19 ».

Coumba Dieng spares no effort in defending the interests of the Bajenu gox and women in general. But her path to this leadership role was not simply a personal choice. She says: « I was appointed by nomination. I was chosen from our neighbourhood tontine group called « Groupe dimanche« . We were selected for our availability, our experience and our commitment to our community. There’s also the fact that I’m a social and helpful mother. I also asked my husband for permission, as he is my manager. » Asked about the difficulties of being Bajenu gox as a mother, she admits frankly: « Oh, it’s not easy! People think you’ve got lots of money because the state funds you. They think you can solve all their problems, whereas we have problems of our own. Sometimes, late at night, they call you on the phone or someone knocks on your door asking for help. »

Despite these challenges, Coumba Dieng remains resolutely committed to her role as a community leader, recalling with emotion the period of the Covid-19 pandemic. « We worked tirelessly to raise awareness and put in place prevention measures. Unfortunately, we lost some of our Bajenu gox colleagues. The Bajenu gox are constantly at risk. Whether it’s cholera, Ebola or diarrhoea, we’re always directly involved, » she says. She remembers the first case of Covid-19 recorded in Senegal, particularly in the Western District, in Almadies, but also of the first community case announced in her neighbourhood, at the Philippe Maguilène Senghor hospital. However, the commitment of Coumba Dieng and her Bajenu gox colleagues has not gone unnoticed.

Weakness of the stamp
In 2023, President Macky Sall announced a monthly allowance for the Bajenu gox, in recognition of their vital work in the community. « Macky Sall supported the project. After our meeting with him in 2017, he ordered the Ministry of Health to identify all the Bajenu gox and grant them a monthly allowance, which was done in 2023, » she says. Coumba Dieng thanks Macky Sall for his continued support for the project, but highlights a current concern: the non-payment of part of the monthly allowance promised since July 2023. « We received the 25,000 CFA francs from the donor, but since July we haven’t received the 25,000 CFA francs from the Head of State. We are now asking for the a funds refund because we need this sum to meet our needs and continue to serve our community », she says. It’s a question of justice…

By Ousmane SOW