Talibés in Senegal

“Over 70 million children around the world work in hazardous conditions in agriculture, mining, domestic labor, and other sectors” (HRW).

The treatment of children in Senegal was something I didn’t even know about, and finding this information was surprising to me.

The abuse of children is coming from the teachers in Quranic schools, also called daaras. The children are sent to daaras to live and study their religion. These children are also referred to as talibés. The conditions of these daaras are not suitable for children, or anyone. Not only that, but the acts against the children are unjust and unacceptable.

“Thousands of these children live in conditions of extreme squalor, denied sufficient food and medical care. Many are also subject to physical abuse amounting to inhuman and degrading treatment” (HRW).

“More than 100,000 talibés living in residential daaras across Senegal are forced by their Quranic teachers, also known as marabouts, to beg daily for money, food, rice or sugar” (HRW).

“Of the 61 cases, 43 talibés were allegedly beaten for failing to meet the money quota and 18 for other transgressions, including failing in their lessons or trying to run away” (HRW).

You would think the government would take notice and try to create a solution considering how often these things occur. Yet, no steps have been taken to resolve this issue.

“Despite periodic moments of increased but inconsistent government attention to their plight, the number of talibé children subjected to forced begging and other serious abuses by their Quranic teachers remains staggering” (HRW).

“Efforts have had limited impact, failing to reach the thousands of talibés begging in other regions across the country. Sustained commitment by the Senegalese authorities to stop the forced begging and abuse, ensure justice, and protect talibés has proven elusive” (HRW).

If the government isn’t doing anything about the mistreatment of these children, the issue will only continue and children will continue to suffer.

So, what are the parents of these talibés doing? Why do they keep sending their children to the daaras if they are so terrible?

“Many parents – particularly those from remote, rural areas and villages – are unaware of the forced begging, abuse, or horrific living conditions suffered by the child they entrusted to a Quranic teacher, and some are also unaware of their child’s location when certain Quranic teachers move their daara to a new neighborhood or city” (HRW).

“However, parents also play a role in perpetuating these practices. Whether due to poverty or other reasons, many parents send their children to daaras without providing any support for the children’s living expenses, and without verifying that children are treated well” (HRW).

In some cases, talibés are taken from their parents without them even knowing. The parents don’t know about the abuse of their children either.

The acts against these children are horrible and should be addressed as a serious issue by the government.

I didn’t even know this was happening so I hope this can bring some kind of awareness to other people as well.

References:

https://www.hrw.org/news/2019/06/11/senegal-unchecked-abuses-quranic-schools