NOVEMBER 2022 – RFLD committed to “Zero FGM” in Benin
The Réseau des Femmes Leaders pour le Développement (RFLD) has once again turned its war machine against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in northern Benin. Starting with the collection of testimonies from survivors of this practice, the RFLD brought together experts at various levels and media players in Kandi. It was an opportunity for these different players to reflect on the fight against FGM, a practice opposed by Beninese lawmakers, but still perpetuated by ill-intentioned individuals. The central objective of this workshop organized by the Réseau des Femmes Leaders pour le Développement, with the support of the African Women’s Development Fund, was to generate ideas that could contribute to the fight against Female Genital Mutilation in the Republic of Benin. During the sessions, experts and journalists brainstormed on the major problems undermining women’s development, presenting to the public a report on the phenomenon at national level, and proposing solutions to get things moving.
Called upon to launch the workshop, the RFLD’s Administrative Secretary found the sub-themes chosen for the discussions relevant, given the persistence of this phenomenon every year, as demonstrated by the collection of testimonies available on the RFLD website. “In Africa in general, and in Benin in particular, it is an open secret that female genital mutilation is a violation of girls’ and women’s rights, with irreversible social and health damage for some. This practice, which is still prevalent in traditional circles, is still destroying the lives of many women, especially in rural northern areas”. she said. On behalf of the President, she also spoke of the relevance of this initiative, which adds to the numerous actions organized by the organization she represents in the North. “In this struggle, what is the role of the media and the role of decision-makers? It is the response to this concern that explains the relevance of this workshop”. With these words, she launched the workshop. For Laurence Ahissou, workshop trainer, journalists have a major role to play in reporting the stories of survivors of female genital mutilation. According to her, as a reliable channel of information, journalists, in their role as public scouts, must at every opportunity shed light on the violence suffered by women who have undergone female genital mutilation.
Aware that the abandonment of FGM cannot be achieved without coordinated, concerted and systematic action on fundamental rights and gender equality, involving all levels of society, the trainer, taking an expert look at the issue, explained: “If we want to eliminate FGM once and for all in Benin, civil society organizations, governments, authorities and media players all need to work together to make “zero FGM” a reality on our territory. The trainers emphasized the need to change social norms as a sine qua non for eradicating FGM. In this respect, she pointed out in her presentation that to change the social norms that hinder the fight against FGM, the involvement of communities and families is non-negotiable. In particular, she invited local authorities, religious and traditional leaders, opinion leaders and heads of families to become more aware of the stakes involved, and to do more to put an end to this violation of girls’ and women’s rights. The closing ceremony served as a springboard to express the gratitude of the Kandi community to the RFLD team for their dedication to the cause of women.
RFLD Communication Unit
