Sociologist launches survey on integration of Senegalese women in peacekeeping

Dakar- Senegal (PANA) â" A survey by Senegalese so-ciologist, Mrs Fatou Sow Sarr , which focuses on strengthening of capacities of women to keep peace and securi t y was launched in Dakar on Monday as part of activities marking international wo m en's day.
The 40-page survey entitled â?Gender and security in Senegal: An integration to be followedâ? proposes an analysis of the situation about gender and security i n the country and intends to serve as basis for monitoring of integration of gen d er issues in security in Senegal.
The document says that within the framework of the resolution of conflicts and the keeping of peace, the capacities for women should be reinforced for their better involvement in peace negotiations.
According to the survey, such a consolidation should lead to making women play a big role against crime.
Statistics show that women are the minority group by a wide margin regarding sec urity forces in Senegal, with 208 women in the penal administration as against 1 , 312 men, or a rate of 13.
68%.
Among the 280 medical officers in the health service of Senegalese armed forces, there are only 32 women, or 11.
4%.
However, women are victims of several crimes particularly the trafficking of peo ple, violence based on gender, excision, sex abuses and infanticide.
According to Mrs Sarr, violence morally and economically affects women.