National Forum for the acceleration of girls' education in Benin: Bright prospects for girls' schooling

From 10 to 11 March 2022, the National Forum for the acceleration of girls' education in Benin will be organized in Cotonou. As a prelude to this meeting, a press conference was held on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in the conference room of the Administrative Tower of Cotonou to announce the main themes.

In front of media professionals, the Government of President Patrice TALON reiterated its determination to accelerate girls' education. The renewed commitment was made by the Minister of Nursery and Primary Education, Mr. Salimane KARIMOU, leader of the Ministers in charge of education, the Minister of Secondary and Technical Education and Vocational Training, Mr. Kouaro Yves CHABI, the Minister of Social Affairs and Microfinance, Mrs. Véronique TOGNIFODÉ MEWANOU in the presence of the UNICEF representative in Benin, the UNAIDS resident representative in Benin and other Technical and Financial Partners and school actors.

"The history of this Forum goes back to 2021 during the review of the education sector, which was conducted in three sub-sectors. Benin has come a long way in terms of girls' education but there are still things to be done in terms of results, indicators and feedback. The principle has been retained that we must be able to take stock, to see what has been done and what remains to be done and to consider together the perspectives" said Minister Salimane KARIMOU, explaining the genesis of this Forum authorized by the Government.

Giving the reasons for the organization of this Forum, the UNICEF Representative in Benin, leader of the Technical and Financial Partners, Mrs. Djanabou MAHONDE said: "Today, it is a question for us to mobilize ourselves more to ensure that each girl in Benin can have the opportunity to contribute to her development and that of her community". She also took the opportunity to reassure the unfailing support of the Technical and Financial Partners. The importance of the organization of this Forum is no longer to be demonstrated according to Minister Véronique TOGNIFODE MEWANOU who affirmed that girls' education is a lever for the development of a Nation. "The educated girl is the woman of tomorrow who will strongly participate in the education of young girls.

"It is necessary to meet to discuss, to find solutions in order to make education a gateway to address certain issues related to health and development of girls.We must meet to discuss and find solutions to make education a gateway to address certain issues related to the health and development of young girls," said Ms. Margarete MOLNAR, UNAIDS resident representative in Benin. For Minister Kouaro Yves CHABI, this Forum is not one too many. Whenever we meet around a common subject, we always find consensual solutions. In terms of schooling, Benin can be proud of the progress made. On the issue of keeping girls in primary school, but much more so in secondary school, it is important that we sit down and talk because the challenges have evolved.

Two perspectives are on the horizon: to make an in-depth inventory of what is problematic in terms of girls' education either at the level of the educational system or at the level of the community; and to come out of this Forum with precise ideas on the essential causes of this wastage in girls' schooling. These different ideas will help the State and the Technical and Financial Partners to, perhaps, review the strategies for the improvement of girls' schooling rate.

Source: www.gouv.bj