This study, conducted in Mali, Niger, and Togo, analyzes the sociocultural, economic, and legal determinants of child marriage (CM) and proposes empowering girls as a strategy to combat it. Despite national laws, traditional and religious norms, particularly Islam, favor the continuation of this practice. Child marriage is often perceived as a protection mechanism against out-of-wedlock pregnancies, a religious obligation, or an economic survival strategy. The low educational attainment of girls and poverty exacerbate the phenomenon. The research mobilized a multidisciplinary and mixed-methods approach, involving qualitative and quantitative surveys. The authors recommend greater involvement of community actors and a change in social norms. Empowering girls through education and economic skills is essential to break the intergenerational cycle of poverty and domination.

Gender, Natural ressources, Political Violence, Education, Family, Gold, Threat, Soicial sciences, Researh, Knowlege production

This study examines the labor market inclusion of young Nigeriens (18-35 years old), focusing on gender and poverty dynamics. It reveals that largely underemployed youth rely heavily on informal self-employment, with limited income security and restricted access to productive assets. The high cost of education significantly hinders labor market integration, particularly for the poorest. Migration is perceived as an opportunity, but it is often too costly and risky. Young women, particularly vulnerable, are increasingly entering the labor market to support their families, despite rigid gender norms. Changing social norms, community initiatives (such as tontines and support groups), and NGO support are key factors in youth inclusion. The report emphasizes the importance of accessible and relevant training and highlights how Niger's sociopolitical context shapes poverty trajectories and youth labor market participation.

Politics, Political party, Inequality, Gender, Natural ressources, Justice, Education, Gold, Poverty, EMPLOYMENT

Pastoralism plays a vital role in West and Central Africa, contributing to food security and biodiversity conservation. However, this way of life is threatened by climate change, land degradation, and socio-political conflicts. Action Against Hunger (ACF) has implemented various initiatives to strengthen the resilience of pastoral communities, including improving access to water and pasture, promoting sustainable practices, and establishing early warning systems. Regional and national policies support pastoralism through infrastructure, regulations promoting transhumance, and climate adaptation programs. However, challenges persist, including agricultural expansion, land privatization, resource conflicts, and widespread insecurity. A coordinated approach and concerted action are needed to preserve this essential way of life.

Economic Development, Livestock, Climate change, Security, Conflict, Education, Development, Human security, Soicial sciences, Knowlege production

The Multisectoral Surveillance Bulletin for the Timbuktu and Taoudénni regions (Mali) for October-November 2024 highlights several major concerns: floods that have destroyed irrigated agricultural areas, rising rice prices, and an unstable security situation with 78 incidents reported (+21.87% compared to the previous two-month period). The agricultural situation is marked by a delay in off-season crops due to flooding. Livestock farming is improving thanks to sufficient pastureland in Timbuktu, although less favorable in Taoudénni. Access to water for livestock is generally satisfactory. Fisheries production is declining due to rising water levels. Acute malnutrition remains a concern, particularly affecting children and requiring an urgent response. Displaced populations continue to increase due to conflict, reaching 42,785 in Timbuktu and 2,899 in Taoudénni.

Culture, State, Natural ressources, Education, Family, Gold, Health, Fishing, Marché, Malnutrition

Over the past three decades, participation in higher education in sub-Saharan Africa has grown at an accelerating pace. However, enrollment rates remain modest compared to other developing regions. This growth has not kept pace with population growth and pent-up demand for higher education. Data on participation by social or ethnic group are limited, making it difficult to assess the equitable distribution of this expansion. Studies indicate that the "massification" of higher education has not yet occurred in the region, with significant variations by gender, geography, and ethnicity. The diversification of higher education landscapes, marked by the elevation of often under-resourced public institutions to university status and the consolidation of a large and disparate private sector, raises questions about the quality of education. Accumulated student resistance to tuition fee increases or other reforms may reflect tensions between new groups seeking access to higher education as a means of social mobility and elites aiming to control the transformation of this sector to consolidate their ascendancy.

Governance, Inequality, Education, Politique publique

The article Learning Assessment in Sub-Saharan Africa by Pierre Varly, published by UNESCO-TALENT in 2020, analyzes the participation of African countries in international assessments of educational achievement. It highlights the low representation of sub-Saharan Africa in programs such as PISA and TIMSS, although some countries, such as Senegal and Zambia, take part in PISA-D (a version adapted for developing countries). The article highlights the major challenges of learning assessment, including the lack of institutional capacity and the low reliability of available data. It emphasizes the need to adapt these assessments to local realities to improve the quality of education systems in Africa.

Governance, Education, Politique publique

The article "Are Poverty Reduction Strategies and Agricultural Policies Engaging in West and Central Africa?" by Abdou Salam Fall and Thiendou Niang, published by the Institute of Development Studies (IDS) in June 2005, analyzes the links between poverty reduction strategies (PRSs) and agricultural policies in West and Central Africa. The study examines their coherence, implementation, and the effectiveness of their coordination. PRSs often include agriculture among their priorities, but without real integration with existing agricultural policies. Furthermore, civil society participation in decision-making processes remains limited, resulting in a lack of influence on strategic directions. The article also highlights that structural inequalities (land reform, market access, trade policies) are not sufficiently taken into account. Finally, it recommends better policy coordination, increased participation of local stakeholders, and improved resource management to ensure more effective results.

State, Economic Development, Inequality, Education, Development, Food security, Poverty, Soicial sciences, Researh, Knowlege production

The article "A Community-Based Edutainment Intervention for Gender-Based Violence, Sexual and Reproductive Health, and Maternal and Child Health in Rural Senegal: A Process Evaluation" analyzes a community-based edutainment intervention in Senegal to address gender-based violence (GBV), sexual and reproductive health (SRH), and maternal and child health (MCH). The intervention involves showing the television series C'est la Vie! through viewing clubs in rural villages, followed by thematic discussions and workshops. The study examines the program's adaptation, implementation, and participant response. Despite adjustments related to the rural context, the intervention achieved good participant engagement, although some topics, including sexuality and family planning, remain sensitive. The study concludes that this format is promising for community education but requires greater inclusion of men and further cultural adaptation.

Gender, Political Violence, Education, Rural Areas, Violence, Threat, Soicial sciences, Researh, Knowlege production, EMPLOYMENT

This article examines the effectiveness, attractiveness, and sustainability of social insurance mechanisms in rural Senegal, particularly through mutual health insurance schemes. Although Universal Health Coverage (CMU) relies on these mutual health insurance schemes to provide coverage to vulnerable populations, several obstacles hinder their success: difficulties in collecting contributions, delays in government payments, and heavy administrative burdens. The study aims to identify the determining factors of their operation and to explore the expansion of services to other risks (disability, death, retirement). A mixed survey was conducted, involving 1,565 participants. The results show that membership is based on financial and health motivations, but that the viability of mutual health insurance schemes requires better governance and diversified financing. Recommendations are made to improve their effectiveness and attractiveness.

Politics, Political party, Power, State, Natural ressources, Education, Gold, Social, Health, Knowlege production