ANTA Babacar Ngom, breaking barriers as the first woman to step into Senegal’s presidential arena, is determined to steer the nation towards industrialisation while advocating for fairer opportunities for women in leadership roles.
Among the initial 93 hopefuls eyeing the top office in Senegal’s upcoming presidential election on March 24, six were women. However, as the process progressed, only two women, Ngom and Rose Wardini, remained. Yet, Wardini’s candidacy was later disqualified due to her French citizenship, leaving Ngom as the sole female contender in the race.
Ngom, daughter of renowned Senegalese businessman Babacar Ngom and CEO of Sedima, a prominent poultry company in Senegal, delineated her vision during an interview with Anadolu news agency. She stressed the necessity of injecting fresh perspectives into Senegalese politics, particularly advocating for the inclusion of young people and women. Ngom, not aspiring for long-term political careers like mayor or parliament member, seeks the presidency with a primary focus on fostering national unity, drawing from her extensive business experience.
‘As the only female presidential candidate, I represent Senegalese women. Establishing a national women’s bank to support their economic independence is one of our key projects,’ Ngom emphasised, highlighting her commitment to women’s empowerment and economic development
Asserting herself as the flagbearer for Senegalese women, Ngom outlined plans for economic restructuring and sustainable development. Her agenda includes leveraging Senegal’s potential through extensive industrialisation efforts, bolstering sectors such as fishing, agriculture, livestock, and tourism. Stressing the pivotal role of the private sector as a conduit between the government and the populace, Ngom reiterated her commitment to environmental protection, education, and public health.
‘For the first time, a woman managed to gather enough signatures. We need to reflect on why women have not been able to participate sufficiently in the presidential candidacy process. We must make the candidacy system more fair and inclusive,’ Ngom asserted, highlighting the hurdles faced by female candidates in the political arena.
Addressing the recent delay in the presidential election, Ngom attributed it to sitting President Macky Sall, expressing discontent over the postponement. ‘This postponement was absolutely unnecessary. In my opinion, the delay holds the voting rights of the Senegalese people hostage. No one knows what President Macky Sall has in mind,’ she remarked, underscoring concerns about the transparency and integrity of the electoral process.
Reflecting on her past support for Sall’s candidacy in 2012, Ngom expressed disillusionment, citing a disconnect between Sall’s current actions and the promises he made during his campaign. Despite the upheaval caused by the postponement, Ngom remains resolute in her pursuit of the presidency, advocating for a fair and transparent electoral process.
Amidst the political turmoil triggered by the delayed election, Ngom’s candidacy symbolizes a significant stride towards gender equality and inclusive governance in Senegal. As the country navigates through these challenging times, Ngom’s vision for industrial growth and women’s empowerment stands as a beacon of hope for a brighter future.
