Mbaye Birome Diouf: A Voice for Women in Africa

Mbaye Birome Diouf is not just an author, but a humanitarian, a security expert, and a champion for women’s rights in Africa. With over seven books to his name, he uses his pen to shed light on the challenges and opportunities facing women in the continent, drawing from his rich and diverse experiences in the field.

Diouf started his journey as an author after he wrote his first books from his notes he had recorded while working as a senior security officer for the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) in Liberia. He witnessed firsthand the horrors of civil war and the resilience of the people, especially women, who bore the brunt of the violence.

Ten Thousand Days

His book, Ten Thousand Days in the Humanitarian Security Management, narrates how he rose through the ranks and his deployment to different fields. He spent more than 20 years in the UNHCR and his experiences in the field work have been explained in the most vivid way in this parting book. He also underscores the importance of both biological and professional family in his career.

Diouf holds a doctorate degree in security management, as well as other degrees in leadership, diplomacy and crisis management. He is currently the head of security at the West African Research Center (WARC) in Dakar, Senegal.

But his passion for writing and advocating for women’s rights has not diminished. Most of his books are inclined towards women, as his hope is to see a world safe for women and a world that sees women as they are, valuable human beings just like the rest.

The African the Powerful Victim

In his book, The African the Powerful Victim, he states that “…, the world is changing swiftly due to the impact of the internet. Diverse cultures are getting interlinked, taboos are falling apart, people are keener to experience liberty in all spheres including sexual life.

Unfortunately, the darkness of our bedrooms exposes the weakness of our societies, and women often end up being the victims of such evils. In this context I would like to just add my voice in my own way, to the efforts being made by the international community and individual governments towards a better future for women.”

He also wrote Invisible Lights, a collection of short stories that depict the lives of women in different African countries, such as Ivory Coast, Kenya, and Senegal. He portrays their struggles, their hopes, and their achievements in a realistic and captivating way.

250@25

One of his stories, 250@25, is about Wanjiku, a Kenyan woman whose life is full of misery.

She ends up in the streets, abandoned by her family, hoping for a better future. She goes to the street to fend for herself and her children, but faces more hardship and abuse.

Does she have hope in the end?

The story succinctly portrays the status of young women in the Kenyan society. The author succeeds in highlighting the vulnerabilities of women in the African society, exacerbated by the lack of due social action and legal protection. The call to action to governments and civil society to do more to break this downward spiral is evident in this book.

Diouf is not only a writer, but also a speaker and a mentor. He has participated in several literary events and workshops, such as the Entre Les Lignes program in Senegal, where he shared his insights and experiences with aspiring writers. He has also mentored young women who are interested in pursuing careers in security and humanitarian work.

Diouf is a voice for women in Africa, a voice that needs to be heard and amplified. His books are not only entertaining, but also informative and inspiring. He challenges the stereotypes and prejudices that hinder the progress of women in the continent, and offers a vision of a more equitable and peaceful future. He is an author with a mission, a mission to make a difference in the lives of women and the society at large.