Senegal repeals social reclassification law to end leprosy stigma

The government of Senegal is moving to end the social exclusion of people affected by leprosy in the Thiès region.

The deputy governor of Thiès, Ababacar Sadikh Niang, presided over a regional development committee to discuss the transition from legal isolation to social inclusion. This initiative follows the repeal of a 1976 law that established social reclassification villages, a system that isolated families for nearly half a century.

The government faces the challenge of turning legal changes into practical improvements for residents of Mballing and Touba Peycouk. While the law no longer mandates segregation, the communities still struggle with land security, access to basic social services, and economic opportunities. The Direction générale de l’Action sociale created the Programme de résilience des communautés affectées par la lèpre to address these persistent hurdles and integrate these localities into local governance.

Officials conducted a supervision mission to the two sites in November 2026 to gather community recommendations and distribute food kits. The committee will now use these findings to create a community action plan with specific timelines and responsibilities. Technical services in fields like urban planning, health, and education must commit to specific actions to ensure residents achieve full citizenship and social recognition.