Benin

We have been working in Benin since 2008 to provide food and education for children and to support women empowerment. We have 2 offices: a central office in Cotonou and a field office in Parakou.  

The country is facing serious challenges, especially in terms of access to education, while some departments may be facing an increase in extremism. Below is the context in figures: 

We have been working in Benin since 2008, in several departments of the country (Ouémé, Plateau, Zou, Collines, Alibori, Borgou, Atacora, Donga) involving municipalities, villages, schools, decentralised government departments and authorities at departmental and national level. We have 2 offices: a central office in Cotonou and a field office in Parakou.  

We work in the following areas and activities: promotion of sexual and reproductive health rights; promotion of inclusive and quality education; peace building; food security and nutrition; protection and socio-economic empowerment of women. 

We promote access to quality sexual and reproductive health services for women, particularly girls, and we influence the related public policy through the advocacy activities of the civil society organisations we support. To this end, we organise debates and awareness-raising sessions in communities on the topic of rights, gender-based violence, menstrual hygiene management, gender inequalities, and family planning awareness. In addition, we organise trainings on how to conduct parent-child dialogues on taboo topics and we distribute 'dignity kits'. 

In the departments of Zou, Collines, Ouémé and Plateau, we are engaged in ensurig inclusive and quality education through teacher trainings that integrate the play aspect and educational outings into the learning process; the installation of reading corners; the construction and renovation of school buildings; and the distribution of teaching materials.  

Our intervention is part of a participatory approach that addresses the problems of school drop-outs, inadequate school infrastructure, lack of teachers, inequalities and exclusion. By strengthening the capacities and skills of communities, the latter will help to keep children in school, monitor their progress and ensure that they receive the best possible education. 

In the northern departments (Atacora, Borgou, Donga, Alibori), in consortium with other NGOs, we are working to strengthen the skills and mobilisation of the media, traditional and religious leaders, local authorities and civil society actors, in order to prevent the threat of violent extremism in Benin. To this end, we are organising awareness-raising activities for community radio directors, training on fact-checking, funding for activist publications on social networks, training and awareness-raising for youth associations, journalistic writing workshops, broadcasting of documentaries on peace-building and social cohesion, production of media products, and development of community radio stations. 

In the departments of Ouémé and Plateau, teachers and members of community groups are trained to become focal points for issues relating to health, nutrition and to monitor the growth of children. Cases of malnutrition are identified and reported to health centres. In addition, training and awareness-raising sessions on good nutrition practices are organised for the community. In this context, we are involved in the creation of community gardens, cooking demonstrations, distribution of enriched flour meals, monitoring the nutritional situation of children, health and hygiene promotion campaigns with health centres, and deworming campaigns. 

Through our educational projects in the departments of Ouémé, Plateau, Zou and Collines, we also carry out protection activities through the revitalisation of municipal child protection frameworks, training and awareness-raising sessions for communities (on children's rights, gender-based violence, protection), case identification and management, referrals, cooperation with local social promotion centres and the creation of a feedback and response mechanism. 

Socio-economic empowerment of women  

The aim is to strengthen the leadership capacities of women in communities and their role in the education and schooling of children. To this end, we are creating community groups called EPC (Epargner Pour le Changement – Save for Change) and OCB (Organisation Communautaire de Base – Basic Community Organization). In addition, we are working to strengthen female leadership and entrepreneurship, prevention of violence against children, income-generating activities and so on. Finally, we are supporting women's involvement in the community mechanism for the protection of children, and keeping them in school.