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Senegal

  • By: Keri L. Heitner
  • In: Encyclopedia of Motherhood
  • Edited by: Andrea O'Reilly
  • Subject:Sociology of Gender, Parenting, Maternal Health

The Republic of Senegal is a country south of the Sénégal River in western Africa. The rate of 4.86 children per mother (6.74 in rural areas, 4.29 in urban areas) fell from 6.8 in 1980 due to government efforts to decrease fertility. The Labor Code provides 14 weeks of paid maternity leave women with state-recognized jobs, excluding most employed women. Although women comprise 43 percent of the workforce, women's primary role is wife and mother. Husbands of employed women often share household chores and childcare.

Marriage, Cultural Norms, and Fertility

More than 60 percent of women are in monogamous unions, with polygamy higher in rural areas. About half of first marriages end in divorce; 18 percent of households are female headed.

European and Islamic customs mix with Wolof ...

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