Declaring abandoned children in Benin: an essential challenge for the protection of their rights
The phenomenon of abandoned children in Benin is a social problem of growing concern. The abandonment of children, whether due to poverty, family difficulties or socio-cultural practices, highlights the shortcomings of the child protection system and the urgent need for care. Faced with this situation, the official declaration of abandoned children is a crucial mechanism for offering them legal and social protection. This article explores in depth the mechanisms, causes and challenges associated with the declaration of abandoned children in Benin.
A legal framework for the protection of abandoned children
In Benin, the legal framework relating to the protection of abandoned children is mainly governed by the Children’s Code, enacted in 2015, as well as by international texts to which the country has acceded, notably the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). These instruments aim to ensure that all children, whatever their family situation, can benefit from protection, a legal identity and fundamental rights. According to the law, a child is considered abandoned when he or she is deprived of the protection of parents or guardians, is left without anyone to support him or her, or is abandoned voluntarily or involuntarily by his or her legal guardians. In such cases, the declaration of abandonment is vital to enable the State to take charge of the child and ensure his or her protection.
Procedure for declaring abandoned children
According to social worker Fernande ADEKOU, the declaration of abandoned children in Benin follows a strict procedure defined by the Children’s Code. “This procedure aims not only to protect the child, but also to guarantee him or her a legal identity”, she said. In fact, the main stages of this declaration are as follows: notification of abandonment, social investigation, legal declaration and care of the child. After declaration, the child is entrusted to suitable care structures, such as children’s homes or foster families. The Ministry of Social Affairs and Microfinance plays a central role in this process, ensuring that the child receives care, education and psychological support.
Causes of child abandonment in Benin
There are many reasons why children are abandoned in Benin, and they are often linked to socio-economic and cultural problems. Among the main causes are poverty, unwanted pregnancies, traditional practices and superstitions, and family crises. Without a solid family framework, these children are left to fend for themselves, sometimes forced to live on the streets. All these abandoned children are above all unwanted children. For the former Minister for the Family, Ayaba Claire Houngan épouse Ayemona, President of the Fondation Regard d’Amour, “an unwanted child is a child born of an unwanted pregnancy or an early pregnancy. Because the mother does not yet have the means to care for a child. The father too, because he’s not mature enough or doesn’t have the means. First, he doesn’t meet his responsibilities. He refuses the pregnancy. He abandons the pregnancy to the daughter who, in the end, finds no solution other than to abandon the child, especially if the daughter herself has no one around her to listen, understand, help and accompany her. In fact, child abandonment is a whole issue. There’s the issue of poorly managed sexuality and poverty. When we say poverty, we don’t just mean monetary poverty. It’s the lack of something. When it’s a lack of money, we talk about monetary poverty. But if it’s a lack of knowledge, we’re talking about non-monetary poverty. There are all these factors that unfortunately lead to child abandonment, she points out.
The challenges of reporting abandoned children
Despite the existence of a legal framework and clear procedures, the reporting of abandoned children in Benin still faces several major challenges. Firstly, under-reporting. Many abandoned children go unreported, either because they are not found in time, or because the reporting procedure is not properly followed. It is also common for children to be taken into informal care by relatives or neighbors, without the authorities being informed. Then there’s the lack of resources. Generally speaking, child protection structures in Benin often suffer from limited financial and human resources. The lack of resources to carry out in-depth social investigations, to take in children in decent conditions or to ensure their psychosocial follow-up poses a real problem for the management of abandoned children. The other challenge is that of identification. It is sometimes difficult to identify abandoned children, especially when they are found without any form of identification. The absence of a systematic birth registration system in some rural areas further complicates this task. And finally, family reintegration is a major challenge. Adoption procedures are long and complex, and foster families are not always available or trained to meet the specific needs of these children.
Initiatives to help abandoned children
To meet these many challenges, several initiatives have been put in place in Benin. The Beninese government, through the Ministry of Social Affairs and Microfinance, is conducting awareness-raising campaigns to encourage the declaration of abandoned children and strengthen protection mechanisms. Partnerships with local and international NGOs also support projects for abandoned children, particularly in the fields of education, health and social reintegration. In addition, awareness-raising campaigns are run in rural areas under the aegis of one-stop social protection offices to combat harmful cultural practices and encourage families not to abandon their children. Support programs for vulnerable families, including financial aid and vocational training, are also aimed at preventing child abandonment by improving living conditions in the poorest households.
Possible solutions
To better protect and care for abandoned children, a number of reforms could be envisaged, including the strengthening of social services, the establishment of a national register of abandoned children, awareness-raising and changing mentalities, collaboration with NGOs, and access to reproductive health care.
It is important to strengthen social services to ensure adequate support for families in difficulty. This includes the creation of awareness-raising programs on parenting education, support for single mothers and temporary financial aid for families in difficulty.
In addition, improving access to healthcare, including family planning and sex education services, is essential. This would help prevent unwanted pregnancies and, consequently, reduce the number of abandonments.
Tackling child abandonment in Benin requires a comprehensive approach, taking into account socio-cultural causes while implementing practical and sustainable solutions. The declaration of abandoned children in Benin is a crucial issue for the protection of children’s rights.
While progress has been made in terms of legal frameworks and care, much remains to be done to improve the situation. Raising public awareness, strengthening reporting mechanisms and mobilizing adequate resources are essential to offer these children a chance to grow up in a safe and protective environment.