Child safety in Benin: advice and prevention against risks
Child safety is a universal priority. In Benin, it is a major concern for families, communities, and public authorities. Children, due to their natural vulnerability, are exposed to various risks in their environment, including domestic accidents, physical and psychological violence, sexual abuse, neglect, and dangers related to the use of new technologies.
This article explores child safety in Benin by offering practical advice for parents, educators, and authorities, while highlighting the realities on the ground. Domestic accidents are one of the most common dangers children face on a daily basis. In 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that around 80% of serious accidents involving children occur at home.
These figures cannot be ignored in Benin, where many homes lack domestic safety due to the absence of strict standards or financial resources. Indeed, the use of fire for cooking or heating in homes, particularly in rural areas, poses a major risk. Children can suffer serious burns, especially when left unattended near stoves or hot utensils.
Similarly, unprotected stairs, sharp objects left within reach, and the lack of guardrails on windows and balconies are factors that increase the risk of falls. According to psychologist Serge Kintoklin, a specialist in child development, “domestic accidents have a profound psychological impact on children, not only because of the physical pain they may experience, but also because of the anxiety that lingers long after the incident. The family environment must be adapted to minimize these risks.”
Physical and psychological violence…
Violence, in all its forms, is a significant problem in Benin. Studies conducted by UNICEF and the Ministry of Health indicate that domestic violence, particularly corporal punishment, is still widely accepted in many families. Children may also be victims of psychological abuse, such as humiliation, threats, and isolation, which have serious repercussions on their emotional well-being.
Although campaigns have been conducted to raise awareness of the negative impact of physical punishment, many children in Benin continue to be beaten or hit by their parents or educators. Benin is not immune to cases of sexual abuse of minors. Local statistics reveal that a significant number of children are victims of rape or sexual assault, often by relatives, in family or community settings.
“Violence against children in Benin is rooted in cultural traditions that normalize parental authority and the use of force in education. However, this violence has devastating effects on children’s self-esteem and can cause behavioral problems in adolescence,” says sociologist Joseph GNONLONFOUN.
L’exploitation économique des enfants, un phénomène préoccupant…
In Benin, as in other West African countries, the economic exploitation of children remains a persistent problem. Many children, particularly in rural and urban areas, are forced to work to support their families or for economic reasons.
Working in hazardous conditions exposes these children to risks to their health and safety. Children, often from rural areas, are sent by their parents to work in cotton or food crop fields, sometimes exposed to dangerous chemicals. Children employed as domestic workers in some urban or rural families may be subjected to difficult working conditions and physical and psychological abuse.
This is why the psychologist emphasizes that “the exploitation of children generates constant stress and harms their psychological and social development. They are often deprived of a normal childhood, which prevents them from developing peacefully and can lead to anxiety disorders or withdrawal behaviors.”
Advices and preventive measures…
Parents must be educated about common risks in the home. Implementing measures to prevent domestic accidents is essential. For example, homes can be equipped with safety devices such as barriers to prevent falls on stairs, secure door handles, and protective covers for fireplaces and kitchen utensils.
Parents must also teach children about safe behavior, such as not playing near fire or handling dangerous objects. Specialized training programs offered by the Departments of Health and Labor can be an effective way to encourage these behaviors, experts strongly recommend.
In addition, awareness of the negative effects of physical and psychological abuse must begin at an early age. The Beninese government, with the help of organizations such as UNICEF, has already implemented programs to combat corporal punishment in schools and homes.
Families must adopt alternative educational methods based on communication and respect. Training in anger management techniques, family conflict management, and parental stress management can help reduce the use of violence.
The government will also need to step up efforts to combat the economic exploitation of children through awareness campaigns, stronger laws against child labor, and the implementation of more rigorous monitoring mechanisms, not to mention the establishment of counseling and psychological support centers.
The safety of children in Benin is a complex issue that requires the involvement of parents, educators, authorities, and civil society. The risks children face, whether physical, emotional, or social, must be taken into account in order to establish effective prevention strategies.
Through concrete actions, such as awareness-raising, education on non-violence, and the fight against exploitation, it is possible to ensure a safer and more protective environment for children in Benin. The active participation of families and communities is essential to protect future generations and offer them a better future.