Empowering senegalese women through agroecology and land rights

In the heart of Niaguis, a small village in Casamance, Mariama Sonko has spent over three decades championing the financial independence of rural women through sustainable agriculture. Born into a farming family, she now leads Nous sommes la solution, a pan-African movement uniting more than 800 associations across eight West African nations. Her lifelong mission is clear: to restore dignity and economic power to women who have long been marginalized in the agricultural sector.

a fight rooted in justice and resilience

Mariama’s journey began with a deep sense of injustice. Growing up in a farming community, she witnessed firsthand the systemic barriers preventing women from owning land, despite legal rights to do so. « I saw how women were constantly pressured and oppressed, and it fueled my determination to change that, » she recalls. Her grandmother’s struggles as a farmer further solidified her resolve to empower rural women economically and socially.

Her father’s untimely death left her mother struggling to feed their ten children. The pressure to conform to traditional gender roles grew, and at just 19, Mariama was forced into marriage—a common expectation for young women in her community. « My uncles insisted it was a woman’s place to stay at home, » she explains. « But I refused to surrender. »

Undeterred, she fought for access to land, eventually securing a small plot with other women. Their collective efforts were met with resistance, culminating in their expulsion. This setback only strengthened her resolve. A decade ago, she achieved her dream: owning a 3-hectare experimental farm near Ziguinchor. Today, the farm thrives on organic principles, using only local seeds and no pesticides. Thirty women work the land, and more than 100 have opened personal bank accounts, saving and reinvesting in secondary income-generating activities. « Seeing their progress fills me with pride. These women are not just farming; they are building futures, » she shares.

from local to pan-african impact

Mariama’s vision extends far beyond her farm. She now travels across West Africa, spreading her message of agroecology and seed sovereignty. Her movement, Nous sommes la solution, has grown to include 800 associations in ten countries, with over 200,000 women—many of them illiterate—joining the cause. « When I see these women, I am filled with pride. The progress they’ve made is remarkable, » she says with a smile.

Her work is a testament to the power of grassroots movements in driving systemic change. By prioritizing local seeds and sustainable practices, she is not only empowering women but also strengthening food sovereignty in the region. « If we do not organize ourselves, we risk losing our identity and our land, even in our own homes, » she warns. « Our mission is to rebuild the seed capital that is vital for African life and sovereignty. »

Through her relentless efforts, Mariama Sonko is redefining what it means to be a woman in agriculture—turning struggle into strength and marginalization into opportunity.