Dakar – On the occasion of International Migrants Day, celebrated on Monday 18 December 2023 at the Place du Souvenir Africain in Dakar, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Country Office in Senegal, in partnership with the Ministry in charge of Senegalese Living Abroad (MCSE), European Union Delegation in Senegal, Embassy of the Czech Republic in Senegal and United Nations Network on Migration, co-organized an official ceremony, as well as socio-relational and cultural activities called the “Migrants Fashion Show”.

This unique initiative also focused on mental health and psychosocial support for returnees through a psycho-education session for vulnerable migrants, who were invited to take part in this event.

The approach to organizing such a ceremony included identifying, mobilizing and involving all stakeholders, including migrant associations.

In his speech, Mr Christopher GASCON, IOM Regional Director, reaffirmed the Organization’s commitment to working alongside the Government of Senegal and its partners to promote safe migration paths respectful of human rights and dignity: “On this International Migrants Day, we reaffirm our commitment to safe migration that respects human rights and dignity. Together, we can build a future where human mobility is a source of opportunity and advancement for all.”

The official ceremony to mark International Migrants Day, attended by Her Excellency the Minister in charge of Senegalese Abroad attached to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and her Chief of Staff, Director General of the General Directorate of Support for Senegalese Abroad (DGASE), Prime Minister’s Diplomatic Adviser and Representative of the European Union Delegation to Senegal, began with prayers for the young people and women who disappeared along irregular migration routes. The ceremony provided an opportunity to raise awareness about local opportunities for success, the dangers of irregular migration and its consequences, through testimonies of front-line actors (survivors, parents, DGASE, FSD, etc.).

The various stands provided by IOM highlighted the missions and work of the various public and private bodies, providing information on opportunities offered by the Government and its partners in terms of employability for youth and returnees. This approach enabled synergies of action to be strengthened between structures, partners, actors and the MCSE and DGASE, with a view to making a significant contribution to access to employment and self-employment.

This day dedicated to migrants also aimed to strengthen returnee resilience by organizing socio-relational and cultural activities called “Migrants Fashion Show”. This is an artistic, socio-relational and cultural activity conducted entirely by migrants, with the aim of supporting them to achieve their potential while also show their families and communities that they can work productively and carry out positive and high-impact activities.

These socio-relational and cultural activities were organized with the effective participation of vulnerable returnees who received psychosocial support. Migrant textile designers, dressmakers and stylists took part in pre-selection master classes prior to the Migrants Fashion Show on 18 December and competed to win awards offered by IOM. A total of 22 migrants from different regions of Senegal who had received economic reintegration support from IOM in the field of dressmaking took part in the competition.

This event was a symbolic milestone on the long way back to dignity which, beyond the mental health and psychosocial support aspects, offers migrant textile designers, dressmakers, and stylists a space to express their creativity, use their skills and network with professional stylists and textile companies.

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For more information, please contact:

Ousmanou DIALLO NTIECHE, Field Coordinator at IOM Senegal, nodiallo@iom.int

Joëlle Furrer, Regional Media and Communications Officer, IOM RO Dakar, jfurrer@iom.int