Brillana, Honours Bachelor in Criminology and a Minor in Social Work, 3rd year
Internship Country: Senegal
Canadian NGO: Centre for Education and International Cooperation (CECI)
Local NGO: Agricultural Producers’ Consultative Body (CCPA)
Going on an international internship is about much more than just gaining professional experience; it’s an opportunity to understand social realities that many people may be unaware of, depending on their background. That’s why I’m currently in Senegal for a three-month internship with CECI, in collaboration with CCPA, as a gender equality and inclusion officer. This assignment allows me to develop my professional skills and, by being on the ground, to better understand the social challenges facing rural communities.
Since 2016, the CCPA has observed that young people and women in rural communities are not always sufficiently encouraged to participate in the development of their communities. My work consists mainly of analyzing these gaps and collaborating with the CCPA to further develop the youth council and the women’s council by building their capacity, particularly through support for assessments in rural areas.
Young people and women in rural areas face several factors that influence their level of participation and autonomy, particularly social hierarchy, cultural norms, and traditional roles. Youth participation is limited by social dynamics in which adults hold significant authority in decision-making. This situation can affect their ability to speak up, limiting, in some cases, their confidence in expressing their ideas and getting involved in their community’s development.
Women’s involvement can also be influenced by traditional roles and social norms that reinforce a gendered division of responsibilities between men and women. Women typically take on the responsibility of the household, domestic chores, and childcare, while men are more involved in income-generating activities. This context sometimes leads to financial dependence on a spouse and limits women’s autonomy, particularly in economic terms.
The CCPA believes that young people represent the future and that it is essential to support them through technical assistance, particularly through training in public speaking, entrepreneurship, and management, among other areas. The organization also highlights the importance of women farmers’ role in the economy by promoting access to resources such as seeds, equipment, and other supplies.
I am honored to support the CCPA. Working with young people and women gives me the opportunity to understand that social realities are not caused by a single factor, but rather by several interconnected factors. It is therefore necessary to analyze them in depth in order to continue fighting against the exclusion of young people and gender inequalities in rural areas.
Being on the ground in Senegal and working with these two colleges is a unique experience. It allows me, as a student, to understand these realities through enriching exchanges and testimonials, as well as to meet many people. In a traditional academic setting, I would not have had access to such a transformative experience.
Thanks to the support of the University of Ottawa and CECI, I have the opportunity to work directly in the field and gain a deeper understanding of social issues in rural areas.