Benin-28th Session November 2017-Violence against women / gender-based violence

Para 11) Benin is continuing its efforts to bring its laws into compliance with international human rights law. In this connection, the general legal framework has been strengthened through the adoption of: … • Act No. 2021-11 of 21 October 2021, establishing special measures to prevent gender-related offences and to protect women Para 125) The following measures have been taken to protect children: … • Care and support in 2019 for 8,763 children, including 4,856 girls at risk or victims of violence, compared with 5,888 children, including 3,664 girls, in 2018 Para 145) Benin has established the National Women’s Institute, which is a public social and scientific institution that enjoys legal personality and financial independence. The Institute reports to the Office of the President and has been tasked with promoting the rights of women in the political, economic, social, legal and cultural spheres, in both the public and private sectors, and to combat all forms of discrimination and violence against women and girls. Para 146) It has a counselling and reporting service to deal with acts of discrimination and violence against women and has the right to take legal action and sue for damages related to such acts. Para 147) The Institute is now the framework for consultation with civil society organizations working to promote women’s rights and protect women and girls. Para 148) In this connection, it is responsible for: • Conducting a survey of all forms of violence and, more generally, all forms of discrimination against women and girls • Initiating and conducting studies and research in this area • Participating in the development of policies, strategies, plans and programmes of action to protect and promote the rights of women and girls in Benin • Organizing efforts to combat all forms of discrimination against women • Carrying out, in consultation with the ministry responsible for social affairs, activities to raise awareness among the general public and certain target groups Para 149) The Institute collaborates with public and private national and international agencies whose activities contribute to the achievement of its mission. In 2022, it will establish 100 focal points in departments, communes, districts, in the public and private sectors and in places of teaching, learning and training. Para 150) Its projected budget for 2022 is CFAF 777,422,000. It also has a fund to assist victims of gender-based violence. Para 151) Since the appointment of the President and the Executive Secretary on 1 September 2021, the Institute has already received more than 100 complaints, most of which concern psychological violence (25 cases), physical violence (15 cases), refusal to pay maintenance (12 cases), property-related violence (11 cases) and violence against children (10 cases). A total of 29 cases were brought before the courts, 5 of which resulted in convictions. Para 152) In order to combat violence against women and girls, Benin adopted Act No. 2021-11 of 20 December 2021, establishing special measures to punish gender-related offences and to protect women. Sexual harassment, sexual assault, early marriage, forced marriage, female genital mutilation and aggravated violence against women or girls, among other offences, are punishable under this Act. Para 153) Benin has adopted a Criminal Code that incorporates the majority of international treaties on human rights. New developments include the following: • The definition and punishment of … gender-based violence