Located on Goree Island off the coast of Dakar, Senegal’s premier boarding school for girls is helping young women redefine societal expectations in the majority-Muslim West African nation.
Students at the Mariama Ba School of Excellence are pushed to challenge traditional gender norms. For Ndeye Awa Diop, who joined the institution as a 12-year-old from a rural background, the transition was transformative.
“I came here completely shy. I didn’t even dare raise my hand in class,” said Diop.
Through the supportive environment created by her peers, Diop built her confidence over time. Today, at 19 years old, she serves as the president of the student council and is preparing for graduation.
“I learned to be a leader,” she said.
While Senegal has achieved significant milestones in female education—with primary school enrollment among girls surpassing that of boys—retention remains a critical issue. Fewer than 20% of female students finish high school due to high dropout rates.
“The current challenge isn’t access to school for girls and boys, but rather keeping girls in school,” said UNICEF education specialist Maissa Abdellaoui.
In contrast to national trends, the Mariama Ba School maintains a 100% completion rate. Renamed in 1985 after Senegal’s renowned female novelist whose work examined the conflict between tradition and modern aspirations, the elite public institution admits just 35 girls annually out of 150 top-performing candidates invited to write the entrance exam. All tuition and living expenses are fully funded by the state.
Situated on an island historically tied to the transatlantic slave trade, the school now serves as a backdrop where a new generation of young women is being empowered to shape a different future.
