There is a long pattern of gendered ideals and female subordination in the country of Benin.  In dominant Benin history and tradition, Beninese men are described as more publicly aggressive, generous, confident, responsible, and showy. Their primary role is acquire wealth and a large household of dependents and supporters (such as wives, children, other family members, servants, etc.) (Curnow 1997). On the other hand, women were considered to be, “…more or less commodified objects” (“Against Her Kind: The Phenomenom of Women Against Women in Ovia Cult Worship” 2014). The folklore and mythology of the region speaks of large harems belonging to patriarchal rulers, with female goddesses and queens acting as mere placeholders, advisors, and support for their ruling sons. While these few women in power may have enjoyed in some patriarchal privileges, these women were described as jealous and revenge-seeking, often turning on one another and remaining wholly uninterested to the sufferings of other women below them (“Against Her Kind: The Phenomenom of Women Against Women in Ovia Cult Worship” 2014).

While some of these gendered expectations and characterizations have evolved with time, my research has shown me that modern Benin is still riddled with sexual inequality, containing large wealth, health, and educational disparities (both in legislature and daily life). Despite the mandate of the new Family Code in August 2004, polygamous and forced marriages still exist, and women in practice still continue to be refused the right to inherit property in certain regions (WILDAF-AO 2016). Domestic violence is widespread, with penalties of up to 3 years in prison, but women often do not report such cases of abuse, and authorities are reluctant to intervene in what is usually considered ‘private matters’. In addition, female genital mutilation/cutting persists in Benin, contrary to Law No. 2003-03 and the awareness-raising campaigns hoping to reduce this practice (Unknown 2015).

The division of labor still reflects old-held ideals about gender roles. In agricultural settings, men are expected to do the heavier tasks such as clearing land, and women primarily are focused on planting and household tasks/child-rearing. Women also are active in the local and regional trade outside the home, selling decorative goods and jewelry to supplement domestic work wages. My human rights professor from last year taught my class a bit more about this practice and how it can be used, showing us how her organization Three Sisters uses money earned from the sale of earrings and other items to fund tutoring programs for children who cannot attend school.

In education, women and girls have drastically lower literacy and school enrollment rates. The common practice of vidomegon in Benin (where a poor family sends their child to live with a wealthier family to be cared for an educated) also disproportionately affects young girls; not only are nearly 90%-95% of cases involving girls, but this practice has fallen into the realm of child trafficking, opening up the door for forced slavery and sexual abuse (Unknown 2015).

Transgendered people, as well as other LGBTQ members, are not treated very well in this society. While same-sex sexual acts for both men and women are legal in Benin, the country has no legal recognition of same-sex relationships or gender identity. There is also no legal protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity, and LGBTQ Beninese individuals who are open often face harassment, violence, and extortion (Ottosson 2007).

Organizations and activities such as Women in Law and Development in Africa (WILDAF), USAID, Tous Nés Libres et Egaux, Empower II and the Vi-Kanxixo Project are actively working to advocate for change in these areas and to serve as a resource for those facing gender-based violence and discrimination. With time and support, these programs are beginning to alter Beninese perceptions about what a woman/what a man is and allow for the enforcement of laws meant to safeguard individual rights and gender equality.

“Against Her Kind: The Phenomenom of Women Against Women in Ovia Cult Worship.” 2014. Advances in Language and Literary Studies. https://doi.org/10.7575/aiac.alls.v.5n.5p.133.

Curnow, Kathy. 1997. “Prestige and the Gentleman: Benin’s Ideal Man.” Art Journal. https://doi.org/10.1080/00043249.1997.10791822.

Ottosson, Daniel. 2007. “State-Sponsored Homophobia.” A World Survey of Laws Prohibiting Same Sex ….

 Unknown. 2015. Africa for Women’s Rights: Benin. Accessed July 12, 2019.

WILDAF-AO. 2016. WILDAF-Benin. Accessed July 12, 2019. www.wildaf-ao.org/.