The Institute National de la Femme (INF) has expressed deep concern over two presumed child abuse cases in Benin. The incidents occurred in the communes of Karimama and Péhunco, where two 10-year-old girls were allegedly raped. The INF's Secretary General has publicly condemned the acts and called on families and communities to be more vigilant. The institution has also promised to provide comprehensive support to the victims.
According to reports, the first incident occurred in Karimama, where a 10-year-old girl was allegedly sexually assaulted by a 21-year-old man while she was herding sheep. The suspect was arrested on October 24, 2026. In Péhunco, a 10-year-old schoolgirl was allegedly raped by a 70-year-old man, who is a neighbor of the family. The suspect was arrested on October 31, 2026.
The INF has emphasized that the law in Benin is clear: rape of a minor under the age of 13 is punishable by life imprisonment. The institution has also noted that these crimes are now under the jurisdiction of the Court of Repression of Economic Crimes and Terrorism (CRIET). The INF has welcomed the swift action by security forces and the prosecutor's office.
The INF has assured that it will follow the cases closely, alongside the victims and their families, until they are concluded. The institution has also reminded the public that there are standardized operational procedures for handling victims of gender-based violence. In cases of rape of minors under the age of 13, all interveners have an obligation to report the incident to the prosecutor's office or a police station.
The INF has warned that no mediation or family settlement will be tolerated in such cases. The institution has also emphasized that the perpetrators of these crimes often exploit the trust and isolation of their victims. The INF has called on families and communities to be more vigilant and to protect children, especially girls, from such crimes.
These incidents occurred just weeks before the launch of the 16-day campaign against gender-based violence, which this year has the theme "Guaranteeing justice, protecting survivors and ending impunity." The INF has noted that the majority of child aggressors are not strangers, but rather neighbors, relatives, or familiar individuals who take advantage of the child's isolation or the temporary absence of adults.
The Beninese law provides for severe sanctions for such crimes, and the INF has pledged to work with the authorities to ensure that justice is served. The institution has also emphasized that no explanation, including poverty, custom, or substance abuse, can justify such acts, which can have a devastating impact on a child's life.
Key points
- The Institute National de la Femme (INF) has condemned the presumed abuse of two young girls in Benin's Karimama and Péhunco areas.
- The INF has emphasized that the law in Benin is clear: rape of a minor under the age of 13 is punishable by life imprisonment.
- The institution has warned that no mediation or family settlement will be tolerated in such cases.
