Benin Community Sensitization Promotes Positive Masculinity and Peace

In the Benin commune of Djougou, community leader Salatou Ouro Adohi has spearheaded awareness sessions to promote positive masculinity and women's participation in peacebuilding. The initiative, supported by the BAANI consortium, aims to encourage men to adopt respectful and equal behaviors. Djougou, located near the Atacora region, has been indirectly affected by the deteriorating security situation in the Sahel. The program seeks to prevent conflicts and promote social cohesion.

The awareness sessions, which took place on November 1, 2, and 6, reached at least 266 people from diverse backgrounds, including taxi-moto drivers, women homemakers, herders, and people with disabilities. The goal was to ensure inclusivity and encourage collective responsibility for building a peaceful community. Salatou Ouro Adohi emphasized that promoting positive masculinity is crucial for fostering respect, equality, and responsibility among men.

The initiative is part of the first phase of the Program for Support to Gender Equality (PAEG), funded by the Swiss Cooperation. PAEG supports micro-projects, training workshops, and community awareness campaigns in several Benin communes, including Copargo, Djougou, Ouaké, Bohicon, and Cotonou. Salatou Ouro Adohi's organization focuses on empowering women, and she believes that continued efforts like these will help consolidate respectful behaviors and promote peace in households.

The awareness sessions took place at the Malanville bus station and in the villages of Baparape, Bougou, and Kamouhou. Participants gained a better understanding of the importance of positive masculinity and social cohesion. By engaging diverse community members, the initiative aimed to promote a culture of respect and equality.

Djougou, a major hub in the Donga region, faces indirect pressure from the Sahel's deteriorating security situation, which has led to the spread of violent extremism. The PAEG program addresses these challenges by supporting micro-projects that promote social cohesion and prevent conflicts. Salatou Ouro Adohi's efforts have contributed to a more inclusive and peaceful community.

The program's impact is expected to be long-term, with continued awareness sessions and community engagement planned. Salatou Ouro Adohi expressed her commitment to pursuing such initiatives, which she believes will help consolidate respectful behaviors and promote peace in households. The participants left the sessions better equipped to contribute to social cohesion and progress in Djougou.

The promotion of positive masculinity and social cohesion is crucial in Benin's efforts to prevent conflicts and promote peace. The PAEG program and initiatives like Salatou Ouro Adohi's awareness sessions demonstrate the importance of community-led efforts in fostering a culture of respect and equality. By engaging men and women from diverse backgrounds, these initiatives can help build a more peaceful and inclusive society.

Key points

• The program promotes positive masculinity by encouraging men to adopt respectful and equal behaviors.
• The awareness sessions reached at least 266 people from diverse backgrounds in Djougou.
• The initiative is part of the Program for Support to Gender Equality (PAEG), funded by the Swiss Cooperation.