International Girl Child Day: Promoting equality and building a sustainable future in Benin
Every October 11, International Day of the Girl is celebrated around the world to highlight the challenges facing young girls and promote their empowerment. In Benin, this day takes on particular importance in a context where many girls continue to face obstacles such as early marriage, lack of access to education and social discrimination.
This article sheds light on the stakes of this day in Benin, the legal framework in force, local initiatives and gives the floor to actors committed to promoting the rights of young girls. The International Day of the Girl Child, proclaimed by the United Nations in 2011, aims to reaffirm girls’ right to education, health and a life free of violence, to fight against gender inequality and to raise awareness of the specific issues facing young girls.
In Benin, according to a survey by the Institut National de la Statistique et de l’Analyse Économique (INSAE) (2022), 30% of girls are married before the age of 18. 25% of girls drop out of school before the end of middle school, often for economic or social reasons.
In addition, 15% of girls aged 15 to 19 have experienced gender-based violence. “Education remains the most powerful weapon for transforming the lives of young girls. We must guarantee scholarships and a safe school environment for girls”, said gender specialist Jacques MONDETE.
A legal framework to protect girls’ rights
Benin has several legal and political texts to protect young girls. There is, for example, the Children’s Code (2015), which prohibits early marriage and gender-based violence and guarantees the right to education for all children, girls and boys alike.
The country also has Law no. 2011-26 on the prevention of violence against women. This reinforces sanctions against the perpetrators of violence and encourages community awareness of the rights of women and girls.
Not to mention international commitments such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), ratified by Benin, which actively participates in the African Girls Can Code program aimed at introducing girls to digital professions.
Despite these laws, implementation remains a challenge, particularly in rural areas. A student in Cotonou and member of a girls’ club, 16-year-old Héleine, with her parents’ permission, tells us: “Thanks to our club, I’ve learned to express myself on the challenges we face. We raise awareness among other girls to stay in school and say no to early marriage”.
The challenges facing young girls
Many factors, such as early marriage, hamper the future of young girls. Indeed, almost one in three girls in Benin is married before the age of 18, which considerably limits her educational and professional opportunities.
Inequalities in education persist, and although school enrollment rates have risen, girls are still under-represented, especially in scientific and technical fields.
The problem of gender-based violence is increasingly a reality, as young girls are particularly vulnerable to sexual violence, abuse and harassment. With the lack of access to sexual and reproductive health services, many young girls do not have access to adequate information and services, contributing to high rates of early pregnancy.
“We have set up a program to encourage girls to continue their studies. With a little support, they can achieve extraordinary things,” explains Richard, Honorary Professor of Life and Earth Sciences.
Local initiatives to empower young girls
Girls’ empowerment is achieved through various programs and entities, such as girls’ clubs in schools, which enable them to discuss the challenges they face and find collective solutions.
Awareness-raising campaigns often organized by NGOs such as Plan International Benin and Care Benin-Togo in villages to inform families about the importance of girls’ education and the dangers of early marriage.
Projects such as these train out-of-school girls in trades such as sewing, hairdressing and agriculture. For sociologist Justine AMOUSSOU, “it’s imperative to involve families and communities in these initiatives. A change of mentality is essential to combat sexist stereotypes”.