Senegal?

I chose to work in Senegal primarily because it is familiar to me. I spent the summer before my final year in college interning at 2 women's organistions in the country, and needless to say the country continues to command my attention. I also wrote my senior thesis project on Senegal; I investigated the history of Ceebu jen the national dish. I focused on the importance of the dish as a female contribution to the society & as a cultural emblem both in Senegal and its diaspora. My research has left me with many questions about the role of cultural markers as tools for community organising and activism. My work on this film will certainly look to answer as many of these questions as possible, whether as an endpoint or a channel into further inquiry.

Aside from my personal interest, there is the historical significance Senegal holds within the Black world. More contemporarily Senegal is a hot vacation spot unlike many other West African nations. There is also a high concentration of iNGO's within its borders, because of the political consistency of the nation. However, there are still many concerns, economic an otherwise. Despite the involvement of women in many sectors of the society women still have a lot to gain in all areas of their lived experiences. The organisations I continue to work with are dedicated to furthering the women's rights movement.