Benin report - Institut Africain de la Gouvernance

APPENDIX II: BENINESE GOVERNMENT COMMENTS__________________________________________________________________________It should be noted that at the level of regulatory provisions, access to public space isnot discriminatory. Rather, the inequality observed is the result of the low level ofeducation of girls and training of women. To these are added socio-culturalsluggishness, and the image most women have of themselves.The statistics on the education of girls have improved and the prospects areencouraging.Six of the 26 ministers in the government are women.Moreover, the structures of the justice, family and child sectors are actively striving,through several workshops and seminars organised in partnership withnongovernmental organisations (NGOs), to ensure wide dissemination of theIndividual and Family Code, with a view to ensuring its appropriation in order tofacilitate its application.1.6.2 Training and integration of the youthBenin has a very young population, with 46.8% of young people aged below 15years.This characteristic presents opportunities as well as risks, and can constitute a majorstake in social peace and political stability, since the majority (72%) of registeredunemployed people are under 35 years of age.In the face of this situation, the government has made considerable efforts, notably inthe area of technical and professional training, through the construction of theappropriate infrastructure in each department of the country.It is also important to note the impending installation of the National EducationCouncil, a supervisory body in charge of improving the educational system.Measures are also being taken to improve youth employment. The revitalisation ofthe National Employment Agency (ANPE) is part of the vision to intensify thepromotion of self-employment among the youth, with support from the NationalYouth Employment Fund.Moreover, it is necessary to recall the positive effects expected from the institution ofthe general interest military service.1.6.3 Local governanceTurning to the institutional framework of decentralisation, the Country ReviewReport mentions the statutory ambiguity around local administrative units, i.e. thecommunes, which are alleged to be structures without legal personality or financialautonomy.398