Citizens gather in Cotonou to march for the rights of women and girls. USAID has supported the creation of one stop centers that provide medical, psychological and legal services for victims of gender-based violence (GBV) and build awareness of a new law that protects GBV victims.

Angela Kieffer USAID/Benin

Key ongoing projects include: 

EMPOWER II: This activity strengthens the capacity of national and local service organizations to provide emergency assistance to victims of gender-based violence (GBV). This includes the establishment of one-stop centers in regional hospitals throughout the country to ensure that victims of GBV have access to medical, psycho-socials and justice services in one place. This activity also ensures that the new anti-gender based violence law is widely understood and applied by magistrates. The activity furthermore expands prevention and response activities to include a special focus on married children and people with disabilities. It will raise public awareness on the negative consequences of child marriage, and the way GBV affects women and girls with disabilities. 

Vi-Kanxixo Project (Women Protecting Girls): This activity empowers local women leaders to protect school girls from gender-based violence (GBV). The activity is implemented through Mothers’ Associations, which are education-focused community-based women’s organizations. Vi-Kanxixo expands awareness of the laws governing GBV and sexual harassment and in order to protect girls from sexual abuse and violence in and outside of school.