Arame Diène | |
---|---|
Born | 1926 |
Died | 2005 |
Nationality | Senegalese |
Occupation(s) | Activist and politician |
Arame Diène (1926–2005) was a Senegalese activist and politician and a self-made woman. [1] Born in the Lebou ethnic group, Diène family home is located in the popular quarter of Medina in Dakar. [1]
Diène did not attend French schools, the lack of schooling was based on the Lebous culture: girls were not allowed to attend school. [1] Society counted her out they categorized her as illiterate and traditionally destined to remain at home. [1]
Diène entered politics in 1945, following family tradition; her parents were notable Lebous supporters of Alfred Goux. [2] [1] Diene husband was a member of the Socialist Party of Senegal. She was a member of the Senegalese Democratic Bloc before joining the Socialist Party of Senegal in 1947 with her husband. [1] In 1981, Prime Minister Abdou Diouf defeated Leopold Sedar Senghor as president. [1] She was elected to the National Assembly in 1983 alongside Ramatoulaye Seck and Aïda Mbaye; all three women became known for their political abilities despite a lack of formal education. [3] Said to be the first person to speak Wolof on the floor of the National Assembly, [2] she was the first illiterate woman elected to that body. [4] Diène served thirty-seven years of service to politics, changing political power structures. [1]
She has been referred to by some as the "mother" of the Senegalese Socialist Party, [2] and played a significant role in its women's movement, heading the women's section of the party and the regional party organization in Cap-Vert. [4] She limited her participation during sessions of the Assembly, speaking about issues affecting farmers, women, children, and health; she preferred not to speak about defense and financial matters. [2]