The Réseau des Femmes Leaders pour le Développement (RFLD) kicked off a two-day meeting at its Porto Novo office, marking the commencement of a pivotal program designed to address harmful practices and end violence against women and girls. The program, facilitated by RFLD Senior Consultants Dr. CHIKOU Sandrine and Dr. DOHOU Pascal, aims to foster collaboration among stakeholders and develop impactful strategies to combat these critical issues.
The project is funded by AWD.
“Harmful practices and violence against women and girls continue to plague our communities, undermining their rights, well-being, and potential,” stated Dr. CHIKOU Sandrine. “This program is a call to action, bringing together diverse voices to co-create solutions that will create lasting change.”
The meeting will engage a wide range of participants, including government representatives, civil society organizations, community leaders, and experts in the field of gender-based violence. The program’s emphasis on collaboration aims to ensure a comprehensive and multi-sectoral approach that addresses the root causes of harmful practices.
“Ending violence against women and girls requires a holistic strategy that addresses not only the perpetrators but also the social norms and attitudes that perpetuate such practices,” explained Dr. DOHOU Pascal. “This program seeks to transform these harmful norms through education, awareness-raising, and community engagement.”
The program’s co-creation methodology places significant emphasis on the active participation and ownership of all stakeholders. This approach leverages local knowledge and experiences to design culturally-sensitive and effective interventions tailored to the specific needs of affected communities.
Over the next two days, participants will delve into in-depth discussions and workshops focused on:
- Understanding harmful practices: Participants will explore the various forms of harmful practices prevalent in the region, their root causes, and their impact on women and girls.
- Identifying gaps and challenges: The group will examine existing programs and initiatives, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses to identify areas for improvement.
- Co-creating solutions: Participants will collaborate to develop strategies focusing on prevention, protection, and prosecution as necessary, as well as providing support and empowering survivors.
- Action planning: The program will culminate in the development of concrete action plans with clear timelines and responsibilities, ensuring the implementation of strategies beyond the workshop.
The program launch at the RFLD office in Porto Novo signifies a strong commitment to addressing the complex issues of harmful practices and violence against women and girls. The collaborative and participatory approach embraced by the program highlights the importance of collective action and community-driven solutions to achieve sustainable social change.
About RFLD: The Réseau des Femmes Leaders pour le Développement (RFLD) is a leading women’s rights organization in Benin dedicated to promoting gender equality, empowering women, and ending violence against women and girls.
