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Senegal UDEN
Unions can work to gain changes to tax and social security systems that disadvantage women. In Senegal, the Union Démocratique des Enseignants du Sénégal (UDEN), is campaigning to have women recognised as a "head of family". Currently only men can have this status.
This means women are generally unable to:
- Collect family allowances; these are given to fathers
- Provide for the medical attention of their husband and children
- Enjoy tax relief for depended children; currently a married woman enjoys the same tax relief as a married man without children
- Leave their children and inheritors a benefit upon death even though working women contribute to a retirement fund
- Be granted any authorisation into the public service
- Transfer their nationality to their husband and children.
UDEN's campaign, which is in partnership with other union and civil society organisations, has three phases:
- Research and training
- Information and sensitisation exercises for UDEN members, civil society, NGO5 and religious bodies
- Lobby and negotiation of politicians, political, civil and religious bodies.
The UDEN campaign needs time to be effective and is placing much emphasis on information and sensitisation activities to build wide understanding and support for the need for change.
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