Project profile — Women Engaged for Human Dignity in Northern Benin

• Benin (100.00%)

• Government And Civil Society, General: Ending violence against women and girls (15180) (100.00%)

• Gender equality (principal objective)
• Environmental sustainability (cross-cutting) (not targeted)
• Participatory development and good governance (significant objective)
• Trade development (not targeted)
• Biodiversity (not targeted)
• Climate change mitigation (not targeted)
• Climate Change Adaptation (not targeted)
• Urban issues (not targeted)
• Desertification (not targeted)
• Children's issues (principal objective)
• Youth Issues (principal objective)
• Indigenous Issues (not targeted)
• Disability (not targeted)
• ICT as a tool for development (not targeted)

The objective of the project is to reduce the prevalence of gender-based violence (GBV), particularly female genital mutilation (FGM) in the Departements of Borgou and Alibori in Benin. The project is based on a multi-sector approach which fosters social change in individual and collective behaviour, as well as a shift in social norms that justify and perpetuate these practices. The project activities include: 1) training women, men, girls and boys on gender equality, sexual and reproductive rights, and the adverse effects of female genital mutilation; 2) supporting the central government in reviewing and harmonizing women’s rights policies and strategies by integrating GBV and FGM issues; 3) supporting professionals from health and education institutions to identify and implement activities geared towards eliminating mutilation FGM and other gender-based violence.

The expected outcomes of this project include: 1) improving the mobilisation and participation of women and girls from Borgou and Alibori, as well as their communities, in the fight against GBV, especially FGM; 2) improving the practices of the government and public institutions in Borgou and Alibori in promoting the eradication of FGM and other GBV.

Results achieved as of the end of the project (July 2022) include: (1) 262 women and 131 girls (targeted leaders) reported increased participation in activities to counter gender-based violence (GBV) and female genital mutilation (FGM); (2) 90 % of targeted leaders said they had increased their skills to promote, develop and implement actions to counter FGM; (3) 12 initiatives against GBV and FGM were introduced by members of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Microfinance with the support of the project; and (4) 100% of health workers in the project area increased their knowledge of promoting the abolition of FGM and other GBV.

• Proactive disclosure