Dakar, Senegal — As International Women’s Month is celebrated, the role of women in fostering the Olympic values in Senegal is highlighted. This initiative is part of the legacy programme for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.
The Olympic Values Education Programme (OVEP) is central to this effort, aiming to reach 900,000 young people aged 9 to 15 across 11,000 schools. Women are leading the national rollout, actively involved in project management, coordination, teacher training, and classroom delivery.
Aïchatou Diop, who transitioned from a swimming coach to a member of the Dakar 2026 Organising Committee, underscores the importance of empowering girls by removing self-imposed limits, embodying the Olympic spirit.
The Brevet Olympique Civique et Sportif (BOCS), a national programme based on OVEP, is pivotal in the Games’educational legacy. Fanta Diallo, the Engagement and Mobilisation Director for Dakar 2026, emphasizes the gender parity in her team and across the programme, noting women’s active participation in curriculum delivery and mentoring.
OVEP extends its reach to the earliest stages of education, introducing Olympic values of excellence, respect, and friendship in community centres. The BOCS prioritizes equal access to sport, education, and leadership opportunities, with girls accounting for nearly 50 per cent of the programme’s beneficiaries.
In schools, BOCS clubs, often led by mixed — gender student committees, organize activities inspired by the Olympic values. One secondary school’s OVEP club, for example, organized a “values through sport “day, significantly enhancing the public speaking, decision-making, and confidence of participating girls. The Director of the National Olympic Academy of Senegal, Cécile Faye, sees women’s leadership roles as crucial for transmitting values to young girls and fostering societal change.
Awa Ndao, an OVEP trainer and youth engagement specialist, believes women are vital in creating transformative environments, ensuring the legacy of Dakar 2026 extends beyond the Games.
Source: africa-newsroom
