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The United Nations Population Fund is supporting young people on their way to an egalitarian future.
Throughout the world, gender inequality remains a reality that undermines the development of women and girls. In Beninese communities, young people are becoming increasingly aware of the need to eradicate this anti-social phenomenon, and are getting involved in various ways in the fight against gender-based violence.

Through the network of champions for the fight against GBV of the project "GBV prevention, protection and empowerment of girls and women in the context of covid-19", supported by the Canadian Cooperation, UNFPA intends to strengthen the partnership with young people in order to encourage and encourage their commitment towards the achievement of transformative results, especially "Zero gender-based violence including harmful practices".

As such, a directory of youth actors has been established to enable youth activists, influencers and CSOs committed to gender equality to connect with each other, share good practices, and benefit from capacity building by compensating for the weaknesses of some with the strength of others.

Through this article, discover the journey of some of our activists registered in the directory of young people committed to gender equality in Benin.

 

OCEANE DANHOUAN is 23 years old, she is a young activist committed to the respect of girls' rights; she makes the respect of girls' and women's rights a personal commitment.

"I was in a very toxic relationship in which I felt dehumanized with a lot of threats, intimidation, etc. I got out of it thanks to the support of my husband. I got out of it thanks to girl activists, it all started from there". A member of several feminist movements such as "Jeunes Filles Actrices de Développement" and "Choose Yourself", she partners with her peers to carry out activities that aim to develop and encourage girls' self-esteem, leadership, professional skills and qualifications. These activities take different forms. Among others, the animation of discussion spaces for girls on different themes such as sexual consent, rape, gender stereotypes. Océane DANHOUAN is passionate about writing and is a contributor to the feminist blog Agoododjie.

Her fight is not without risks. Online harassment, parents' concerns, loss of friendships are some of the difficulties Océane faces in her actions to defend girls' rights. But, "I remain convinced of one thing, the real social change that we can hope for must start with ourselves, so I remain focused on myself and my actions.

 Bernadette M'PO, "the Baobab Woman" who fights for gender equality in the Atacora department.

"I have been an activist since I was 18 years old and am the president of the NGO Femme Baobab in the Septentrion.

Bernadette has a strong interest in the education of girls and the most vulnerable. Aware of the transformational power of education for girls to reduce their vulnerability and make them autonomous, she organizes awareness sessions, radio programs, and leads advocacy to reduce gender inequalities. With her NGO, she works on several themes in the communes of Atacora: advocacy for the abandonment of child marriage, keeping girls in school, the socio-professional reintegration of girls, and female leadership. To strengthen women's resilience, the president of Femme Baobab proposes women's education, their empowerment and also the questioning of our societal practices as solutions to achieve an egalitarian and sustainable future. In June 2019, she will participate as a gender expert in the "Africa Week" summit in the Netherlands. Opportunity for her to expose the situation of the Beninese rural woman and the efforts she makes to develop her community in the commune and to learn about the struggles of women in Varseveld for their emancipation.

Mike Comanbè ADJASSIN is a dynamic and very committed young activist working on all issues related to community development.

"I am Mike ADJASSIN, I am 27 years old. I am currently the Mayor of the youth of the town of Parakou; I am an independent consultant on issues related to the implementation of public policies and also a writer of community and humanitarian projects". 

Very early on, he launched himself into the realization of community actions within the framework of the development of youth