On May 26, 2025, the National Institute for Women (INF) of Benin launched a call to action for all Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) committed to the promotion and protection of the rights of women and girls. Through an official communiqué, the INF announced the start of a national census campaign, a significant step towards strengthening collaboration and optimizing efforts for gender equality in Benin.
A Concerted Approach for Amplified Impact
This initiative is part of Article 05 of the INF’s statutes, which provides for consultation with CSOs working for women’s rights. The objective is clear: to establish a solid and structured framework for collaboration. The INF, as a central actor in promoting equality in Benin, recognizes the indispensable role of CSOs on the ground.
The data collection, which will extend until June 06, 2025, throughout the national territory, aims to create an exhaustive mapping of the organizations involved. This approach will allow for better identification, understanding, and coordination of the actions of the different actors, in order to maximize the impact on the lives of Beninese women and girls.
Who is Invited to Participate?
The INF is extending an open invitation to a wide range of stakeholders. These include:
- Religious denominations
- Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
- Trade unions
- Socio-professional associations
- Media organizations
- Traditional chieftaincies
- And all other structures involved in the promotion and protection of women’s and girls’ rights.
This inclusivity ensures diverse representation and comprehensive data collection, reflecting the richness of civic engagement in Benin.
How to Participate and Ensure Confidentiality?
To facilitate participation, the INF has set up an online form accessible via the following link:
https://ee-eu.kobotoolbox.org/x/elGwzd67
This link leads directly to the “CSO MAPPING IN BENIN_INF” (CARTOGRAPHIE DES OSC AU BENIN_INF), a tool designed to efficiently collect the necessary information.
The National Institute for Women insists on the absolute confidentiality of the information collected. This data will be covered by statistical secrecy and handled with the strictest discretion. This guarantee aims to build trust and encourage maximum participation.
For any additional information, the INF invites organizations to contact the following numbers: *01 95 37 70 15, 01 44 64 37 23, and 01 97 34 69 29.
A Call to Action: Let’s Act Together!
As underscored by the Executive Secretary of the INF, Flore Dénami DJINOU, the mobilization of everyone is essential: “CSOs of Benin, let’s act together for the rights of women and girls!”
This census campaign represents a unique opportunity to structure and strengthen the movement for women’s rights in Benin. By uniting, CSOs and the INF can build a future where every woman and girl in Benin can fully enjoy their rights and thrive in complete freedom. This is an important step towards a more just and equitable society for all.