Child labor prevalent in Dakar's markets and streets amid poverty and exploitation

Children in Dakar are deeply involved in small-scale commerce under precarious conditions, where poverty and exploitation are intertwined. Abdou Sall, an 11-year-old talibé, exemplifies this reality, navigating survival and aspirations amidst the bustling markets of the city. In Dakar, the landscape of certain neighborhoods is shaped by the hurried footsteps of children who frequent the markets from early morning. Among makeshift stalls, crowded alleys, and major intersections, minors are increasingly visible in street vending. This situation is driven by family poverty, inadequate public responses, and difficulties in implementing child protection measures. In the Senegalese capital, thousands of children facing precarious situations are forced to work, compromising their access to education, health, and future prospects. In the early morning, as the city slowly awakens, the "Gueule Tapée" market, located at the Case Ba roundabout in Parcelles Assainies, resumes its usual hustle. Merchants set up their goods, customers begin to arrive, and the scent of spices fills the air. Amidst this activity, the presence of children seems to have become an ordinary sight. In the market aisles, children navigate between survival and exploitation, working as street vendors, porters, garbage collectors, or beggars, despite their young age. With determination, they weave through the stalls, enduring dust, fatigue, and the risks associated with their activities. Some, particularly talibé chil