Key Challenges for children in Benin
- More than 10 percent of all children die before the age of 5. Malaria is a leading cause of death for young children.
- Twenty-six percent of girls are married before they are 18 and 7 percent marry before the age of 15.
- With half the population living on the coast, Benin is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change such as rising sea levels, coastal erosion, and flooding.
- More flooding will increase the spread of infectious disease like malaria, which already accounts for 40 percent of hospitalisations in the country.
How your support is helping children like Daouda
Daouda, 17, is a proud participant of Plan International’s Girl Power Program, which is challenging gender stereotypes and empowering young women.
“I’m lucky to have been selected for the football team as part of the project,” Daouda said. “We train several times a week and participate in workshops to strengthen our trust, learn to speak in public, and understand the rights of girls.”
The program also helps establish savings groups, so that young women like Daouda can prepare for their future. Daouda understands that education is key, and she plans to stay in school, instead of marrying young as so many girls do.
“I want to change lives,” Daouda said. “I am full of conviction for my studies and have won the respect of my parents – I will not fall pregnant!”