International Women's Day

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  Porto Novo, Benin
Thursday, March 8, 2007

I was very happy to learn we would be celebrating International Women's Day at Action Sociale as it is something very relevant here and something I've participated in at home. The staff and interns gathered in the classroom upstairs at Action Sociale Thursday morning and Eugène began by giving a brief overview of Women's Day, its importance and the theme of equality (men/women). He talked of the development of women, of waking those who are "asleep" and helping them be seen as more than just objects to be manipulated. He highlighted the importance of training and education so that women can participate in improving the country. This also requires speaking with the men and imcreasing their awareness; that women are just as capable and have the right to work, the right to be something. It was also clarified that this didn't mean the "elimination" of men, but working together for a common goal. Action Sociale works at this everyday with the computer/administration courses, the microfinance and with orphans.

From this point the women were each asked to speak and make one committment to improve the lives of women. We also wanted to hear from the men, however it was very important that the women spoke first as there is often a reluctance (or perhaps understanding) to speak among men here.

This is what some the staff had to say:

(women)
- Education and socialization are very important; women have the same needs as men. Culturally (Bénin), women are made to have children, to clean, get water and wood...

A family of women making yam flour (micro-finance)

An educated women can take better care of her children. This staff was happy for this day, the fact that it exists shows there is hope.
- Some men don't like when women work (outside the home), especially in the smaller villages. She thought a good place to start was to help raise awareness among men.
- Encourage girls to go to school.

(men)
- One staff was raised by his mother and they were very poor. All the boys and girls in his family received the same education. From this he appreciates the need to respect women.
- Women are something very important, that we need to respect.
- Can start at home by letting women know that they can do all the things men can do, to encourage them to become what they want.

Personally, I think education is key to improving the quality of life for women, and the society as a whole. For this reason I committed to finding resources to help girls go to school, to be able to find work, think independently and be self-sufficient.

I unfortunately don't have any statistics on men, but the female illiteracy rate is very high:76%. The rate of girls attending primary education is 58% and secondary studies is only 12%!! One of the main reasons for this is that the parents lack the financial resources to send their children to school, to purchase the necessary supplies or the skills to help them with their work. Financial problems are often due to the fact that one of the parents is deceased and so you can see that one problem is often the result of another, which is the result of another here- a vicious cycle. Action Sociale tries very hard to target as many of these problems as possible.

The morning was wrapped up by stating that International Women's Day is not just March 8th, but a daily fight! Wishing everyone a Happy Women's Day!

(Check out the pictures showing Beninese women doing various roles)

Dana

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Fascilitator and lawyer Sabine	Roman Action Sociale sectrectary	Seamstress	Women doing the laundry

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