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Senegal   Why children in Senegal need your helpDespite being one of the most stable democracies on the African continent, Senegal still needs to make significant inroads in reducing poverty for children and their families.
Country factsSenegal gained its independent from France in 1960, and was ruled by the Socialist Party for 40 years until current President Abdoulaye Wade was elected in 2000. The country briefly formed the federation of Senegambia with the Gambia - which lies virtually as an enclave within Senegal - between 1982 and 1989. An lengthy dispute between the government and a separatist group based in the southern Casamance region has now come to a standstill, with a peace agreement signed in 2004. However, in the main Senegal's political environment has been stable, and the country is known for its involvement with international peacekeeping efforts, sending troops to Kosovo, Liberia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
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While infant and
maternal mortality levels are moderate, only three in four
children are enrolled at school, and the immunisation of infants
is declining. Unemployment is also extremely high.
