ABSTRACT
The Senegalese political system rests on the coexistence of secular institutions and a socio-political order in which religion plays a central role. This dual framework generates tensions around the constitutional principle of equality, most visibly within family law, as the system of option on which it is based reflects a unique recognition of normative pluralism in Senegal. The law exposes deep conflicts in matters of marriage and inheritance, particularly concerning gender equality. This article explores the historical development of the code and analyses the challenges judges face when applying it. Positioned between national legislation and international conventions, judges must navigate contradictory imperatives in a context marked by strong ideological divides. On one side, conservative actors, led by Islamic authorities, resist reform; on the other, women’s rights organizations advocate for equality. The chapter shows that judicial practice increasingly privileges Islamic norms, thereby eroding the constitutional promise of gender equality.
