Case study | Red House – Women's Centre in Rufisque, Senegal

The project was originates from 1996 when a group of students from a course in Aalto University made a trip to Senegal. Sociologist Anne Rosenlew introduced the students to the activities of the women's groups in Rufisque and upon the initiative of local women the students decided to design a women's centre as an exercise project. The project was carried on by three young architects Saija Hollmén, Jenni Reuter, and Helena Sandman and it received support from the Finnish Ministry of Foreing Affairs. The site was donated by the municipality of Rufisque and some of the building materials were donated by local companies. The project was conducted in close collaboration with local women as well as local workforce that was used for structural engineering and building. The project was finished in 2001.

Image: a local lady commenting on the model of women's centre

–The city of Rufisque
During the French colonial period Rufisque was an important harbour city, wherefrom for example peanuts was exported to France but the city lost its significance when the export business moved to the deeper ports of Dakar. Most of the Rufisque's diverse industries was lost. Still the city is growing rapidly due to the migration from rural areas. Most of the city's economy is now related to fishing or trading of food, vegetables and other daily products at the crowded market square, that is located very far from the most distant settlements around the city. The rapid growth of the city and the massive structural unemployment of men are the most significant problems.

–Change in social structures
Migration from rural areas and unemployment of men have changed the demographic and social structures in Senegal. Traditionally women have helped each other and formed groups in Senegal and in Africa in general and the family has been the most significant unit of working and production and reproduction. The family has provided the support for physical, psychological and social needs. But now the role of women is extended outside the home and family due to the change in environment and employment etc. In urban conditions the influence of family on women is decreased or disappeared while at the same time women in cities are excluded from political and economic decicion making. So there is a demand for women to organize themselves. Men's role has become passive as they don't have their traditional source of living nor jobs in the industry. Men are unwilling to do work that is traditionally thougth as women's job such as making and selling food or vegetables. The gender roles governed by islamic culture are still very strong and Senegal is a very patriarchal country. Due to the gender segregation a poor woman in Rufisque couldn't support the family without belonging to some group even if her husband had regular income. Men are beginning to give up the dominant role in the family, at least behind the scenes, because they simply cannot afford it any more.

–The significance of the women's Centre
The house got into the shape of the traditional Senegalese house with separated sections and a courtyard bounded by walls thus supporting the activities of the women's groups. The building provides space for the women to organize and develop and train themselves in different ways. The house functions as a meeting place for women from the surrounding blocks and therefore strenghtens the feeling of community in the neighborhoods. The centre has also joined people from different parts of Rufisque's suburbs together. In all together the women's centre is increasing the women's feel of worth and possibilities to gain more political power in the changing society.

–Participatory project
The women's group had a strong need for a common space to meet and work together. Architects used scale models and other methods which local people can easily understand and comment on. The women had plenty of ideas and suggestions, hence the architect's role was to guide, give advices and deal with the technical side with local civil engineer. The house was built with concrete because it was locally available and also donated from the factory. Since the women's centre is the only public building in the area it gained lots of publicity already during the construction phase and there were even people arguing to take part in the project as workers or to provide the construction workers with food.

In the end the women's group felt very confident with the project and they held it as their own. In the opening party, there was a local lady who was say to the neighbors that the women's group built Red House themselves and there where a few Finnish architects around helping them. Now the problem is there are so many people using Red House for hundreds of different purposes that the space is not enough. It seems that what Meas Nee pointed out works not only in Cambodia but also in Senegal: We specialists can maximize the outcome only when the local people are willing to improve their society by simply nudging them with our mere knowledge and skills.

–References
Saija Hollmén, Jenni Reuter, Helena Sandman, "Jigeen Yi Mbooloo - Women's centre Rufisque Senegal", Finnish Ministry of Foreing Affairs, Helsinki 2002
Interview with Saija Hollmén, April 25, 2010
Photographs Jenni Reuter
Drawing: Hollmen Reuter Sandman Architects
http://www.archiafrika.org/en/node/251
http://www.hollmenreutersandman.com