They dreamed of a society where they, their sisters, and their brothers could live with dignity and fulfill their potential. To make this dream a reality, in 2018, four young Beninese graduates—three women and one man—created the association Impact Woman, which later became Filles en Actions. Its objectives: to combat sexism, girls dropping out of school, and forced marriages, and to promote the empowerment of women to become agents of development in their communities. Today, Filles en Actions is the largest feminist network in Benin, with seven employees, six women and one man, on the board of directors. The association has 105 volunteers and is established in the country's 12 departments through the Voix Capitales clubs, bringing together around 520 girls and 120 boys aged 10 to 28. Since 2024, it has been creating "Cervo Masculinité Positive" clubs to turn young men into feminist allies.
Data for action
In Benin, one rule persists: silence about menstruation. To break this taboo, Filles en Actions conducted a national tour to document the situation of girls in terms of health, precariousness, and menstrual management. During training sessions, approximately 400 participants, aged between 8 and 28, were able to share their experiences. In its 2023 report, the association showed that in Benin: 80% of girls have never been taught that their bodies will undergo changes during puberty; one in ten students is forced to make makeshift sanitary products because they cannot afford to buy them. Toilet paper, tissues, socks... There is also a lack of access to drinking water and soap. "There are no social policies that subsidize free hygiene products ," laments Brian Marilyse Sossou, president of Filles en Actions.
"Without data, it is difficult to evaluate the effectiveness of existing policies, design new strategies, or allocate the necessary resources to combat period poverty," Brian Marilyse Sossou, president of Filles en Actions.
Rules for dignity
Thanks to this report, submitted to the public authorities in 2024, the participants were able to express recommendations for living their menstruation with dignity. These included free sanitary protection in schools, sorority clubs to discuss intimate topics, and training centers run by teenage mothers or girls who have dropped out of school, where they can learn how to make soap and reusable sanitary protection, which would then be distributed free of charge to girls in villages. Filles en Actions has begun implementing these recommendations and is working to influence policy for systemic and sustainable change.
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Equipop's sorore support
Filles en Actions received organizational, structural, and financial support from Equipop. This enabled it to organize a "Feminists in Action" camp in August-September 2023, where young participants reflected on ways to improve access to their rights. During a multi-stakeholder dinner, they were able to address their recommendations directly to policy makers. The mayor of the commune of Ouidah committed to building toilets adapted to girls' menstrual management and to advocating for this cause with other mayors in Benin.
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Focus on… the “Je m’engage” platform
Launched at the end of 2023, this platform is managed by the Championnes de Filles en Actions (Girls in Action Champions), young women trained in SRHR issues who provide accurate information on the ground and discourage girls from resorting to clandestine abortions—despite the laws— access to abortion remains difficult in Benin—and refers them to the "Sista tell me everything" helpline, which anonymously connects them with private and partner clinics.
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To be continued ...
Expand! That is the watchword of Filles en Actions' 2024-2027 strategic plan. The NGO wants to expand into 10 French-speaking African countries to amplify the impact and voices of African feminists. It plans to organize a triennial forum on the status of African girls and an international festival on feminist climate justice and menstrual dignity. In early 2024, Filles en Actions launched Benin's first-ever feminist media outlet, Utilise ta voix (Use Your Voice). Don't miss out on the latest news!
