In Malika, a suburb of Dakar, the Maison de la femme offers women economic perspectives, protection from violence, and mutual support — a place that changes lives.
On a sandy street in Malika, a suburb of Dakar, stands the Maison de la femme. This "House of Women" is full of stories and destinies — and full of possibilities for those who enter.
Visitors on a weekday are welcomed by the smell of fresh couscous. Women sit on the floor processing millet in the traditional way. In another room, pieces of ginger coated in coconut and sugar are being packaged; in the garden, a woman carefully waters rows of lemon seedlings. Others share their knowledge of soap-making and discuss marketing strategies.
The Senegalese organization Intermondes implements a project at the Maison de la femme in Dakar with the support of IAMANEH Switzerland. Using an integrated approach, the project combines economic empowerment, access to health services, and protection from violence. Women receive targeted support through training and counselling, as well as access to production resources and start-up capital, enabling them to establish their own micro-enterprises or expand existing initiatives. Economic self-reliance increases women’s income while strengthening their self-confidence and their position within families and communities.
From school dropout to group leader
Nar Guèye is 18 years old and president of her production group. At 15, she dropped out of school — her family couldn't afford it. "That was a very difficult time," she recalls. But she found her way to the Maison de la femme. "Since then, a lot has changed," says Nar. She learned grain processing and took over the management of production. The income from sales allowed her to return to school.
A listening ear — and concrete help
The women know that on the first floor of the Maison de la femme, they will find an open ear and, in emergencies, concrete help. This is where the Point d'Écoute is located — a support centre for women, particularly for survivors of violence. It is run by locally embedded trusted individuals, comparable to social workers in Switzerland. The need is high: violence against women is widespread in Malika.
One woman describes how she turned to the centre after falling ill and being abandoned by her husband after 16 years of marriage. The team arranged a hospital referral and raised funds. Today she is involved in fruit and vegetable processing and is on the road to recovery.
But needs sometimes exceed the capacity of existing structures. One of the counsellors describes a woman who spent weeks in panic after suffering severe sexual violence: "She urgently needs further psychological support that we were unable to provide." Strengthening the Point d'Écoute therefore remains one of the project's central goals.
Local structures, lasting impact
For many years, the centre ran on a shoestring — lacking infrastructure and an overall concept. Since 2025, the Senegalese organisation Intermondes has brought the house back to life with the support of IAMANEH Switzerland. Women now have the opportunity to unlock the potential of the space and develop their initiatives as they see fit.
Project: Maison de la femme, Malika | Partner: Intermondes, Senegal | Supported by IAMANEH Switzerland
