Organised by Lila Bruun

Marieme*, 13, was raped by her uncle and gave birth to her baby Awa two months ago. She has trouble accepting, connecting with, and loving her baby.

Fatou*, 16, was kicked out of her home when her family found out she was pregnant. She is illiterate, and now has to learn to provide for herself and her baby.

These are two cases among the fourteen women La Maison Rose is currently helping.

In Senegal, abortion is illegal, and women must carry pregnancies to term, regardless of the causes and consequences. La Maison Rose is an association, founded in Guediawaye in 2008 by Mona Chasserio, awardee of the Légion d’Honneur. It provides support to women and children, down to the age of 12, who are victims of sexual and physical abuse. They come from different West African countries: Senegal, Mauritania, Guinea, Sierra Leone, etc. La Maison Rose is the only association throughout Western Africa that offers protection, psychological support, vocational training, and legal aid to the most vulnerable in these societies.

This summer, I was honoured to intern at La Maison Rose. This first-hand experience has enabled me to acquire a deep understanding of the day-to-day functioning of La Maison Rose: the team’s hard work and resilience, the women’s suffering, and how effective the association is in helping the women rebuild themselves, regain confidence, learn trades, and reintegrate into society.

However, following the recent US funding cut, La Maison Rose is struggling to fund its various operations and activities crucial to the women’s healing and emancipation. Ms. Chasserio confided in me that they face the risk of closing this most needed women’s refuge. This is extremely alarming for the fundamental rights and the vulnerability of women and young girls in West Africa.

I have thus created this GoFundMe page to help save La Maison Rose.

Please donate if you can: help support disadvantaged and vulnerable women in Senegal and other West African countries.

Each donation will be deeply appreciated; even a small amount will make a big difference.

Donors will receive an official acknowledgment from La Maison Rose.

Remember, these women are less lucky than we are, and we can’t turn a blind eye to their plight.

*The names have been changed to protect their identities.

All donations will be transferred to La Maison Rose.