Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Initial report submitted by Benin under article 35 of the Convention, due in 2014 *

[Date received: 5 September 2018]

Contents

Page

I.Introduction3

II.Part one: Common core document3

A.General information3

B.Legal framework for the protection and promotion of human rights6

C.Institutional framework for the promotion and protection of the rights of persons with disabilities8

D.Statistics8

III.Part two: Convention-specific document11

IV.Conclusion37

I.Introduction

1.On 13 December 2006, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Benin ratified the Convention on 5 July 2012.

2.In accordance with article 35 (1) of the Convention, “Each State Party shall submit to the Committee, through the Secretary-General of the United Nations, a comprehensive report on measures taken to give effect to its obligations under the present Convention and on the progress made in that regard, within two years after the entry into force of the present Convention for the State Party concerned.”

3.Following ratification, Benin has taken legislative, judicial, administrative and other measures to develop programmes and policies to give effect to the provisions of the Convention.

4.The present report takes stock of the measures adopted, progress made and challenges encountered in connection with the implementation of the Convention. It covers the period from 2012 to 2017.

5.The report was drawn up on the basis of an inclusive and participatory national consultation process. It includes information gathered by State bodies, civil society actors and, in particular, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and associations involved in the promotion and protection of the rights of persons with disabilities.

6.Support for this process was provided by the West Africa Regional Office of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

7.The statistics and other information contained in the report were compiled by the Ministry of Justice and Legislation, in cooperation with other governmental and non-governmental bodies belonging to the National Monitoring Committee for the Implementation of International Human Rights Instruments.

8.The preparatory process was divided into four phases:

•The organization of an introductory workshop on the Convention on the Rights on Persons with Disabilities in January 2017

•The organization of an information-gathering workshop in September 2017

•The preparation of a draft consolidated initial report in September 2017

•The organization of a national workshop for the approval of the final report in May 2018

II.Part oneCommon core document

A.General information

9.The Republic of Benin is a West African country bordered to the north by the Niger, to the east by Nigeria, to the south by the Atlantic Ocean, to the west by Togo and to the north-west by Burkina Faso. It covers an area of 114.763 m2.

10.Located between the equator and the Tropic of Cancer, Benin has a hot, humid climate.

11.Benin is a pluralist democracy governed by the rule of law in which fundamental human rights, civil liberties, human dignity and justice are guaranteed, protected and promoted.

12.Benin is divided into 12 departments: Alibori, Atacora, Atlantique, Borgou, Collines, Couffo, Donga, Littoral, Mono, Ouémé, Plateau and Zou. The departments are divided into 77 townships, 3 of which (Cotonou, Porto Novo and Parakou) have special status. The 77 townships are subdivided into 546 districts made up of 4,386 villages and city wards. An ongoing decentralization drive was launched in 2003 in the context of the country’s grass-roots democracy and respect for human rights.

13.Broadly speaking, the economy of Benin is characterized by a primary sector dominated by large-scale agriculture, an embryonic secondary sector and a largely undeveloped tertiary sector.

14.On the basis of the Fourth General Population and Housing Census (RGPH4), conducted in 2012, the population of Benin was estimated at 9,983,884. The census showed that more than half (52.4%) of the population is under 18 years of age. Women account for 51.2% of the total population.

15.The estimated illiteracy rate for the population as a whole is 70%.

B.Legal framework for the protection and promotion of human rights

16.Benin ratified, without reservation, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol on 5 July 2012. In accordance with article 147 of the Constitution of Benin: “upon their publication, treaties and agreements which are duly ratified shall have an authority superior to that of laws, subject to their application, in respect of each accord or treaty, by the other party.”

17.Ratification of the Convention represents a step forward in the promotion and protection of human rights, in general, and of the rights of persons with disabilities, in particular.

18.Since democracy was re-established, Benin has become party to the majority of human rights treaties, namely:

•The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

•The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

•The International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination

•The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women

•The Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment

•The Convention on the Rights of the Child

•The International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance

•The International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families

•The Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aiming at the abolition of the death penalty

•The African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights

•The African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, etc.

19.Moreover, article 18 (4) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which was ratified in 1986 and forms an integral part of the Beninese Constitution of 11 December 1990, provides that: “The aged and the disabled shall also have the right to special measures of protection in keeping with their physical or moral needs.”

20.Since 2012, Benin has added the following specific pieces of legislation to its body of law:

•Act No. 2017-06 of 29 September 2017 on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in the Republic of Benin

•Act No. 2015-08 of 8 December 2015 (the Children’s Code of the Republic of Benin).

21.Other pieces of more general legislation contributing to the protection and promotion of the rights of persons with disabilities have been adopted, namely:

•Act No. 2015-18 of 1 September 2017 on the General Civil Service Regulations of the Republic of Benin

•Act No. 2017-05 of 29 August 2017, which sets out the conditions and procedures for the recruitment of employees, job placement and the termination of contracts of employment in the Republic of Benin

•Act No. 2017-08 of 19 June 2017 on the identification of natural persons in the Republic of Benin

•Act No. 2013-01 of 14 August 2013 (Private and State-owned Land Code), as amended by Act No. 2017-15 of 26 May 2017

•Act No. 2013-06 of 25 November 2013 (the (amended) Electoral Code of the Republic of Benin)

•Act No. 2012-15 of 18 March 2013 (the Code of Criminal Procedure of the Republic of Benin)

•Act No. 2011-26 of 9 January 2012 on the prevention and punishment of violence against women and girls in the Republic of Benin

•Act 2016-16 amending and supplementing Act No. 2008-07 of 28 February 2011 (the Code of Civil, Commercial, Social, Administrative and Accounting Procedure)

•Act No. 2006-04 of 10 April 2006 on conditions for the movement of minors and enforcement action against child trafficking in the Republic of Benin

•Act No. 2006-19 of 5 September 2006 on the punishment of sexual harassment and the protection of victims in Benin

•Act No. 2005-31 of 10 April 2006 on the prevention, treatment and monitoring of HIV/AIDS in the Republic of Benin

•Act No. 2003-17 of 11 November 2003 on the national curriculum, as amended by Act No. 2005-33 of 6 October 2005

•Act No. 2003-03 of 3 March 2003 on enforcement action against female genital mutilation

•Act No. 2003-04 of 3 March 2003 on sexual and reproductive health in the Republic of Benin of 15 March 2003

•Act No. 2002-07 of 24 August 2004 (the Personal and Family Code of the Republic of Benin)

•Act No. 98-004 of 27 January 1998 (the Labour Code of the Republic of Benin).

22.The following administrative regulations have also been adopted:

•Decree No. 2016-713 of 25 November 2016 on the duties, organization and operations of the Central Authority for Intercountry Adoption

•Decree No. 2014-315 on the establishment of integrated support centres for victims of gender-based violence

•Decree No. 2012-416 of 6 November 2012 on the regulations and standards applicable to children’s shelters in the Republic of Benin

•Decree No. 2011-029 of 31 January 2011, which lists the hazardous types of work from which children are barred in the Republic of Benin.

23.Policies and programmes have also been developed to give effect to the rights and freedoms recognized by the Convention, in particular:

•The National Policy for the Protection and Integration of Persons with Disabilities for the periods 2007–2016 and 2012–2021

•The National Child Protection Policy for the period 2014–2024.

24.A number of action plans for the application of those policies are currently being implemented.

25.The Government of Benin also created the Support Fund for the Rehabilitation and Integration of Persons with Disabilities (FARIPH) by Decree No. 507 of 2 October 2009. In 2016, this fund became the National Solidarity Support Fund (FASN).

C.Institutional framework for the promotion and protection of the rights of persons with disabilities

26.Social issues, and particularly those relating to persons with disabilities, have always been of concern to the public authorities in Benin.

27.Accordingly, a number of institutions have been set up which now function as part of a national system for the protection of persons with disabilities:

•The Observatory for the Family, Women and Children is a scientific institution that compiles, analyses, utilizes and disseminates statistics

•The Community-based Rehabilitation Management Unit is responsible for the rehabilitation of persons with disabilities

•The National Monitoring Committee for the Implementation of International Human Rights Instruments

•The Benin Human Rights Commission.

D.Statistics

Table 1

Population structure, by sex and by age group

	Benin	Male	Female	Urban	Rural
Total	10 008 749	4 887 820	5 120 929	4 460 503	5 548 246
Age group
0–4	17.0	17.6	16.4	16.0	17.8
5–9	16.7	17.3	16.1	15.1	18.0
10–14	13.0	13.7	12.3	12.4	13.4
15–19	10.2	10.6	9.8	10.4	10.0
20–24	8.6	8.0	9.2	9.4	8.0
25–29	7.7	6.8	8.6	8.4	7.2
30–34	6.5	6.1	6.9	7.0	6.1
35–39	5.1	5.0	5.3	5.5	4.9
40–44	4.1	4.2	4.0	4.3	3.9
45–49	2.7	2.8	2.7	3.0	2.5
50–54	2.6	2.6	2.6	2.7	2.5
55–59	1.3	1.4	1.3	1.5	1.2
60–64	1.6	1.6	1.7	1.6	1.6
65–69	0.7	0.7	0.8	0.8	0.7
70–74	0.8	0.8	0.9	0.8	0.9
75–79	0.4	0.3	0.4	0.4	0.4
80–84	0.5	0.4	0.6	0.4	0.6
85–89	0.1	0.1	0.2	0.1	0.2
90–94	0.1	0.1	0.2	0.1	0.2
95–98	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1
Total	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0

Source : Fourth General Population and Housing Census, 2013.

Table 2

Population structure, by department

	Benin	Alibori	Atacora	Atlantique	Borgou	Collines	Couffo	Donga	Littoral	Mono	Ouémé	Plateau	Zou
Total	10 008 749	867 463	772 262	1 398 229	1 214 249	717 477	745 328	543 130	679 012	497 243	1 100 404	622 372	851 580
Age group
0–4	17.0	19.4	18.7	16.6	19.2	16.0	16.3	16.8	14.3	15.3	16.5	16.3	16.2
5–9	16.7	19.1	18.7	15.2	17.9	16.5	18.7	17.6	12.5	16.2	15.3	16.6	16.3
10–14	13.0	12.9	13.2	12.4	12.7	14.2	14.6	13.0	10.6	13.7	12.5	13.3	13.9
15–19	10.2	10.1	9.6	9.7	10.4	11.3	11.5	10.1	9.4	10.9	9.7	9.7	10.4
20–24	8.6	8.3	7.9	9.1	9.0	8.5	7.7	8.5	10.3	8.4	8.7	8.3	8.1
25–29	7.7	7.5	6.7	8.4	7.5	7.2	7.0	7.6	9.9	7.0	8.4	7.9	7.2
30–34	6.5	6.1	6.0	7.0	6.2	6.1	5.5	6.4	8.6	5.9	6.9	6.6	6.3
35–39	5.1	4.4	4.3	5.8	4.4	5.0	4.9	4.8	6.6	5.2	5.6	5.3	5.3
40–44	4.1	3.6	3.9	4.4	3.6	4.1	3.8	3.9	5.1	4.3	4.3	4.2	4.1
45–49	2.7	2.0	2.4	3.1	2.2	2.6	2.4	2.6	3.7	3.1	3.1	2.8	2.8
50–54	2.6	2.2	2.7	2.7	2.2	2.5	2.4	2.5	3.0	2.9	2.9	2.6	2.7
55–59	1.3	1.0	1.3	1.4	1.1	1.3	0.9	1.2	1.9	1.5	1.6	1.4	1.3
60–64	1.6	1.3	1.7	1.5	1.3	1.7	1.6	1.6	1.6	1.9	1.8	1.7	1.9
65–69	0.7	0.5	0.8	0.7	0.5	0.9	0.6	0.8	0.9	0.9	0.8	0.9	0.8
70–74	0.8	0.8	1.0	0.7	0.8	0.9	0.7	1.0	0.7	1.1	0.7	0.9	1.1
75–79	0.4	0.2	0.4	0.3	0.3	0.4	0.3	0.4	0.4	0.5	0.3	0.4	0.5
80–84	0.5	0.4	0.5	0.4	0.4	0.5	0.7	0.6	0.3	0.7	0.4	0.5	0.7
85–89	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.2	0.1	0.2	0.1	0.2	0.1	0.2	0.2
90–94	0.1	0.1	0.2	0.1	0.2	0.2	0.2	0.2	0.1	0.2	0.1	0.1	0.2
95–98	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.2	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1
Total	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0

Source : Fourth General Population and Housing Census, 2013.

Table 4

Status of the Beninese population, by place of residence

Indicators	Benin	Urban	Rural	Alibori	Atacora	Atlantique	Borgou	Collines	Couffo	Donga	Littoral	Mono	Ouémé	Plateau	Zou
Number of foreign nationals	188 563	130 561	58 002	28 636	10 395	16 517	22 665	9 647	2 167	7 760	57 516	8 975	17 065	2 605	4 615
Proportion of foreign nationals (%)	1.9	2.9	1.0	3.3	1.3	1.2	1.9	1.3	0.3	1.4	8.5	1.8	1.6	0.4	0.5
Africa
Burkina Faso	6.1	4.3	10.0	11.3	27.7	4.7	6.8	3.1	3.6	6.1	2.2	2.6	2.9	3.1	1.9
Niger (%)	35.6	34.6	38.1	60.4	38.6	15.2	60.0	28.7	30.1	19.9	28.5	12.9	27.8	21.7	43.8
Nigeria (%)	19.6	19.0	20.8	22.6	8.8	11.8	13.2	18.1	14.8	14.0	23.3	4.7	30.8	32.2	32.4
Togo (%)	23.0	22.9	23.3	1.8	17.3	46.4	12.9	44.2	42.7	55.6	21.1	48.6	21.2	9.8	13.1
Rest of West Africa (%)	10.7	13.0	5.8	3.7	6.0	15.1	5.9	4.9	7.1	3.2	14.4	29.9	13.2	11.9	6.8
Rest of Africa (%)	3.1	4.2	0.7	0.1	0.6	4.8	0.6	0.3	0.9	0.9	7.2	0.6	2.9	1.2	0.7
World
France (%)	0.6	0.8	0.2	(*)	0.3	1.1	0.2	0.1	0.2	0.1	1.1	0.3	0.7	0.4	0.5
Rest of Europe (%)	0.2	0.3	0.1	(*)	0.2	0.4	0.1	(*)	0.1	0.1	0.4	0.2	0.3	0.1	0.3
Rest of the world (%)	1.0	1.0	1.1	(*)	0.4	0.4	0.2	0.6	0.5	0.1	1.8	0.1	0.4	19.8	0.5
Female foreign nationals
Proportion of foreign nationals who are women (%)	49.6	50.0	48.7	47.6	47.9	55.3	47.0	46.3	62.5	50.5	48.9	57.0	51.4	42.5	49.6
Economically active foreign nationals
Economically active (aged 10+) proportion of the foreign population (%)	71.3	72.0	69.6	27.4	33.0	37.8	30.8	42.8	44.2	31.6	41.1	40.7	38.0	32.0	38.2
Economically active (aged 15–64) proportion of the foreign population (%)	61.2	62.4	58.7	26.4	32.2	37.3	30.2	41.6	43.0	30.7	40.7	39.7	37.6	31.7	37.3

Source : Fourth General Population and Housing Census, 2013.

III.Part twoConvention-specific document

General provisions of the Convention (arts. 1 to 4)

28.Benin devotes particular attention to the protection and promotion of the civil and political rights of all citizens, including persons with disabilities. It has undertaken numerous reforms to improve its normative framework for safeguarding the rights of persons with disabilities. In particular, the Constitution of 11 December 1990 contains the following articles:

•Article 8: The human person is sacred and inviolable. The State has an absolute obligation to respect and protect the human person. It shall guarantee each person’s full development, providing its citizens with equal access to health care, education, culture, information, vocational training and employment.

• Article 26: The State shall ensure that all are equal before the law, irrespective of their origin, race, sex, religion, political opinion or social status. Men and women are equal before the law. The State shall protect families, especially mothers and children. It shall ensure the well-being of persons with disabilities and older persons.

•Article 36: Every Beninese person shall have the duty to respect and consider his fellow beings without discrimination and to maintain relations aimed at safeguarding, reinforcing and promoting respect, dialogue and mutual tolerance for the sake of peace and national cohesion.

29.Act No. 2017-06 of 29 September 2017 incorporates the Convention’s definition of persons with disabilities. It is intended to ensure respect for the human dignity, rights and freedoms of persons with disabilities, their autonomy and their integration in family life, their participation in social, public and political affairs and their exercise of their civil, economic and property rights.

Article 5Equality and non-discrimination

30.For Benin, equality and non-discrimination are a key principle in the protection of human rights.

31.Article 26 of the Constitution states that: “The State shall ensure that all are equal before the law, irrespective of their origin, race, sex, religion, political opinion or social status. Men and women shall be equal before the law. The State shall protect families, especially mothers and children. It shall ensure the well-being of persons with disabilities and older persons.”

32.Articles 7 and 176 of the Children’s Code reaffirm this principle.

33.Article 7 states that every child shall be entitled to the enjoyment of all the rights and freedoms recognized and guaranteed in the Code and, in particular, is entitled to equal treatment as regards services, property and benefits, irrespective of the child’s or his or her parents’ or legal guardians’ race, origin, ethnic group, national or social origin, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, property, birth, disability, family situation or other status.

34.Article 176 states that children with disabilities shall enjoy all human rights and fundamental freedoms on an equal basis with other children.

35.Article 18 of Act No. 2017-06 of 29 September 2017 provided for the introduction of the “equal opportunities card”, which entitles its holders to rights and benefits (at a reduced cost or free of charge) in relation to their access to health care, rehabilitation services and financial support and assistive devices (three-wheeled mobility devices, white canes, forearm crutches, wheelchairs).

36.The National Solidarity Support Fund provides learners with financial support of up to 100,000 CFA francs (CFAF) each. It also provides assistive devices (three-wheeled mobility devices, wheelchairs, canes, crutches, etc.) to persons with disabilities and support for apprentices with disabilities who are nearing the end of their training to acquire equipment that will assist them when they start their first job.

Article 6Women with disabilities

37.Several laws in force in Benin protect the rights of women and girls with disabilities. Those texts include:

•Act No. 2011-26 of 9 January 2012 on the prevention and punishment of violence against women and girls

•Act No. 2002-07 of 24 August 2004 (the Family Code of the Republic of Benin)

38.Programmatic measures have also been taken:

•A microcredit programme for the poorest segments of the population

•Pillar 3 of the Government Action Programme is focused on improving the population’s living conditions, while strategic component No. 6 deals with strengthening basic social services and social protection and, more specifically, line of action No. 21 concerns protection for those who are most in need and the amelioration of substandard living conditions

•The National Policy for the Protection and Integration of Persons with Disabilities for 2007–2016 and 2012–2021

39.In the course of the implementation of the Government Action Programme, special emphasis has been placed on women’s empowerment through the Women’s Economic Empowerment and Gender Promotion Project. In 2017, this project supported 10 groups of women with disabilities (250 women in total) by providing them with equipment for the production and processing of groundnuts, cassava and shea butter and for use in market gardening, gardening and livestock farming.

Article 7Children with disabilities

40.The Children’s Code prescribes special protective measures for children with disabilities in the following articles:

•Article 8: In all decisions concerning children, whether undertaken by public or private social welfare institutions, courts of law, administrative authorities or legislative bodies, the best interests of the child shall be the primary consideration. The term “best interests of the child” refers to the prime importance of protecting and promoting the rights of the child, at all costs, so that he or she can thrive, prosper, grow and be equipped for active life as a mature and responsible adult.

•Article 175: Children with mental or physical disabilities shall enjoy a decent standard of living in conditions that ensure their dignity, help them to lead independent lives and facilitate their active participation in the community.

•Article 176: Children with disabilities shall enjoy all human rights and fundamental freedoms on an equal basis with other children.

•Article 177: Children with disabilities shall be given special care, access to a special education programme and special assistance in keeping with their condition. They have the right to a free education in a mainstream school located, if possible, close to their home. Children who are unable to benefit from mainstream education owing to the severity of their disabilities shall be referred to a special school.

•Article 178: The State shall phase in early diagnosis programmes to prevent disabilities in young children. For any children who, despite these measures, have a disability, the State shall ensure their full social inclusion so that they may thrive. An administrative order issued by the minister responsible for children sets out the regulations under which special protection is to be provided to children with disabilities.

41.Decree No. 2012-416 of 6 November 2012, which establishes the regulations and standards applicable to children’s shelters in the Republic of Benin, also provides for specialized centres equipped with the necessary adaptations and barrier-free access for children with disabilities.

42.A community-based rehabilitation programme has been introduced which includes a specific module for children with disabilities. This programme provides children with disabilities with educational support, specialized care, assistive devices and functional rehabilitation services. By way of example, 2,032 children with disabilities attended school in 2017.

Article 8Awareness-raising

43.Awareness-raising sessions are held annually to commemorate the following international days:

•International Day of the Deaf

•International White Cane Day

•International Day of Persons with Disabilities

•World Down Syndrome Day

•International Albinism Awareness Day

•Human Rights Day

•National Day of Civic Rights and Duties.

44.Civil society supports the State’s awareness-raising initiatives by engaging in a range of activities:

•With financial support from the West Africa Regional Office of OHCHR, the Prison Service and Human Rights Department of the Ministry of Justice and Legislation has organized activities for elected municipal officials in the Atlantique, Collines, Littoral, Ouémé, Plateau and Zou departments designed to raise their awareness of the rights of persons with disabilities.

•In partnership with the Réseau pour l’intégration des femmes des organisations non gouvernementales et associations africaines – Section du Bénin (Network for the Integration of Women in NGOs and African Associations – Benin Section) (RIFONGA-Bénin), media professionals have received training and information on dealing with pictures and footage of persons with disabilities.

•Training and information sessions were held for media professionals concerning media coverage of the exercise of voting rights by persons with disabilities during the 2016 presidential elections.

•Awareness-raising sessions have been held for persons with disabilities about their voting rights.

•Officials at the Beninese Broadcasting Office (ORTB) have been urged to translate programmes about the election campaign into sign language.

•Activities have been held for mayors and district leaders in order to raise their awareness about the importance of assisting persons with disabilities to exercise their voting rights.

•With financial support from the Réseau des organisations des femmes d’Afrique francophone (Network of Women’s Organizations of French-speaking Africa) (ROFAF), the NGO L’Œil d’aujourd’hui has raised public awareness about issues relating to marriage in the case of persons with disabilities.

•With funding from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and from Maison de la Société Civile, training and information sessions have been held for elected local and municipal officials and representatives of civil society organizations in order to raise their awareness about the importance of ensuring that local development is disability-inclusive.

•With funding from Handicap International, information sessions have been held for persons with disabilities on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

•The Ministry of Social Affairs and Microfinance has held sessions with business leaders designed to raise their awareness about the labour rights of persons with disabilities.

•With financial support from Handicap International, the Fédération des Associations des Personnes Handicapées (Federation of Associations of Persons with Disabilities) has held information and training sessions to raise the awareness of police officers and judges about the rights of persons with disabilities.

•Documentaries have been produced and broadcast on national television to raise public awareness of the skills of persons with disabilities and their contribution to national development.

Article 9Accessibility

45.Beninese law states that the principle of accessibility shall apply to all persons, including all those with disabilities.

46.The Act on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in the Republic of Benin provides that buildings, roads, the media, pavements, outdoor spaces and modes of transport are to meet international accessibility standards. This law deals with these principles specifically in article 18 (the equal opportunities card), articles 21 and 22 (free medical care for persons with disabilities who are destitute), article 25 (access to social services), articles 30 and 31 (the right to education and access to education), articles 37 and 39 (access to employment), article 38 (trade union rights), article 46 (access to housing), article 47 (access to transport), articles 53 and 62 (access to information and communication services), article 59 (access to sport, leisure and culture) and article 65 (access to participation in political and public life).

47.To ensure that the principle of accessibility is upheld in the case of persons with disabilities, the following measures have been or are being taken:

•Construction and renovations to ensure that public buildings and private buildings that are open to the public are in compliance with standards on accessibility for persons with disabilities.

•The installation of ramps at 40 polling stations in the Zou, Collines, Atlantique and Littoral departments as part of the Access for Disabled in Elections through Public Transformation (ADEPT) initiative funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

•The preparation of a compilation of accessibility standards by Handicap International.

•The provision of sign-language interpreting for persons with disabilities.

•The execution of municipal development plans that take into account the accessibility needs of persons with disabilities.

Article 10Right to life

48.The Beninese legal framework is consistent with article 10 of the Convention. The right to life is protected by articles 8 and 15 of the Constitution of 11 December 1990 and by articles 16, 168 and 169 of the Children’s Code.

49.Steps taken to protect the right to life include the ratification of the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aiming at the abolition of the death penalty, on 5 July 2012 and the elimination of the death penalty in the draft Criminal Code.

50.By decision DCC 12-153 of 4 August 2012, which was confirmed by decision DCC 16-020 of 21 January 2016, the Constitutional Court ruled that the entry into force of the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aiming at the abolition of the death penalty, rendered null and void any legal provision in which the death penalty was included as a punishment.

51.In addition, by Decree No. 2018-043 of 15 February 2018, the Government commuted the sentences of the last 14 persons on death row to life imprisonment.

52.The Ministry responsible for social affairs regularly holds events at the country’s social welfare centres to raise public awareness of the importance of respecting the right to life of persons with disabilities.

Article 11Hazardous situations and humanitarian emergencies

53.Article 24 of the Act on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities specifies the types of protection to be afforded to persons with disabilities in hazardous situations and humanitarian emergencies.

54.Benin has also ratified the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, including the Third Convention, the Fourth Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War and the protocols additional to the Geneva Conventions.

55.Articles 204 and 205 of the Children’s Code provide for special measures for the protection of children in hazardous situations and humanitarian emergencies.

56.In emergencies, national authorities use various channels of communication (television, radio, press releases and town criers) to alert the population.

57.The National Civil Protection Agency works on a day-to-day basis to develop means of meeting the needs of vulnerable people, particularly persons with disabilities, in hazardous situations and humanitarian emergencies. These actions are supported by the Red Cross of Benin, NGOs and development partners.

58.The National Solidarity Support Fund also assists people during emergency situations and natural disasters.

Article 12Equal recognition before the law

59.Articles 9 and 26 of the Constitution of 11 December 1990 state that all human beings shall have the right to personal development, in all its dimensions, and to equal recognition before the law. This means that there may be no exception under any circumstances, including any circumstance related to a person’s disability, to the right to equal recognition before the law.

60.With regard to legal capacity, Beninese legislation grants special legal protections to persons with disabilities that could result in their legal capacity being restricted to a greater or lesser extent, but this does not affect their status as a person before the law in any way.

61.This principle is enshrined in the Constitution and is reflected in other laws, such as the Electoral Code, the Personal and Family Code, the Children’s Code, the Land Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure and the Nationality Code.

Article 13Access to justice

62.The Constitution of 11 December 1990 guarantees the right of access to justice, equality of all persons before the law and the independence of the judiciary:

•Article 26: “The State shall ensure that all persons are equal before the law, irrespective of their origin, race, sex, religion, political opinion or social status.”

•Article 125: “The judiciary shall be independent from the legislature and the executive and shall consist of the Supreme Court and other courts established in accordance with this Constitution.”

•Article 126: “Justice shall be dispensed in the name of the people of Benin. In exercising their functions, judges shall be guided solely by the authority of the law. Judges shall have security of tenure.”

63.Articles 346 and 425 of the Code of Criminal Procedure stipulate: “If the accused is deaf-mute and unable to write, the presiding judge shall appoint as an interpreter the person who is most accustomed to conversing with him or her or, failing that, another qualified person. The same procedure shall apply in the case of a witness who is deaf-mute. The other provisions of the preceding article shall apply. If the deaf-mute person is literate, the registrar shall write down the questions or comments addressed to him or her. These questions or comments shall be passed to the deaf-mute person, who shall provide his or her replies or statements in writing. The registrar shall read out everything to the court.”

64.Under article 59 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, law enforcement officers are required to inform all accused persons of their right to appoint a lawyer, to be examined by a doctor of their choice, and to inform and be visited by a family member, and they must provide this information within the first few hours after such persons have been taken into police custody.

65.A legal aid mechanism is being set up in order to support vulnerable persons, including persons with disabilities.

66.With the support of the Benin Millennium Challenge Account (MCA), the Government has built six new second-category courts of first instance in Allada, Pobé, Aplahoué, Djougou, Savalou and Abomey-Calavi. These courts were built in accordance with international standards in order to facilitate access for persons with disabilities.

67.Specialized social services departments have also been set up in some courts to assist vulnerable persons, including persons with disabilities.

Article 14 Liberty and security of the person

68.The Constitution contains several provisions that guarantee liberty and security of the person:

•Article 15 states that all individuals have the right to life, liberty, and security and integrity of the person.

•Article 16 states that individuals can be arrested or charged only under a law that was promulgated before the acts in question took place and that no one can be forced into exile.

•Article 17 states that anyone charged with a criminal offence should be presumed innocent until proven guilty according to law in a public trial at which the necessary safeguards for exercise of the right of defence were guaranteed. No one should be held guilty of any criminal offence on account of any act or omission that did not constitute a criminal offence, under national law, at the time when it was committed. Nor should a heavier penalty be imposed than the one that was applicable at the time the offence was committed.

69.Section X of the Code of Criminal Procedure, on detention and release pending trial, contains several provisions that guarantee liberty and security of the person (arts. 145 et seq.).

70.The Criminal Code currently in force (part II on indictable offences committed against private individuals, chapter 1 on indictable offences against persons, arts. 349 et seq.) provides for three sets of measures that serve as safeguards:

•Special protection, which includes compulsory reporting

•The formulation of specific charges

•Increased penalties in cases where the victim is a vulnerable person

71.Some offences are defined with reference to the victim’s condition. Examples include the abandonment, in any place, of persons who are unable to protect themselves because of their age or their physical or mental condition; the sexual exploitation of particularly vulnerable persons; violence against a minor or against a person whose vulnerability, due to age, illness, disability, physical or mental impairment or pregnancy, is visible or known to the perpetrator; and discrimination on the basis of illness or disability.

Article 15 Freedom from torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment

72.Articles 18 and 19 of the Constitution prohibit torture.

•Article 18 states that no one may be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or abuse. No one has the right to prevent a detainee or an accused person from being examined by a doctor of his or her choice. No one may be detained in a penitentiary establishment except under the provisions of a criminal law that is in force at the time. No one may be detained for longer than 48 hours except on the basis of a decision handed down by a judge, before whom the person must be brought. This period may be extended only in exceptional cases provided for by law and, in such cases, may not exceed eight days.

•Article 19 states that any individuals or public servants who, in the exercise of their functions, inflict torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or abuse, whether on their own initiative or under orders, shall be punished in accordance with the law. All individuals and public servants are relieved of the duty to obey orders when the order in question is a serious and clear violation of human rights or public freedoms.

73.Benin has ratified the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and the Optional Protocol thereto. In compliance with its obligations under those instruments, it has submitted several reports on implementation to the relevant supervisory body. The recommendations made to Benin in the light of these reports have helped it to improve its legal framework for preventing and combating torture.

74.Benin has also received visits from the Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. The recommendations made by this body have helped it, in particular, to improve conditions in the country’s places of detention. The process of establishing a national mechanism for the prevention of torture is now under way.

75.In addition, the Constitutional Court has handed down several decisions condemning acts of torture.

76.The Criminal Code that was adopted by the legislature on 5 June 2018 defines the criminal offence of torture.

77.Acts of torture and inhuman and degrading treatment are also punishable under the Children’s Code (arts. 342–344).

Article 16 Freedom from exploitation, violence and abuse

78.The following articles of the Act on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities prohibit exploitation, violence and abuse directed at persons with disabilities and set out the punishments applying to persons who commit such acts:

•Article 56 stipulates that the State should take appropriate measures to prevent all forms of exploitation, violence and abuse while providing persons with disabilities and their families with individualized forms of support or assistance that are suited to their gender, age and disability.

•Article 57 states that persons with disabilities should be protected from all forms of exploitation, violence, ill-treatment, sexual abuse and sex trafficking.

•Article 58 stipulates that the State shall provide persons with disabilities with information, instructions and other services to enable them to report cases of exploitation, violence and abuse.

79.Measures to prevent exploitation, violence and abuse have been taken by both public authorities and civil society organizations. These measures include:

•The establishment of six counselling centres at the national level.

•The establishment of three integrated centres to provide assistance to victims of gender-based violence (Parakou hospital, Goho hospital and Tokpahoho medical centre in Cotonou) by the Women in Law and Development in Africa (WiLDAF) Benin network as part of the Empower II Project.

•The introduction of toll-free numbers (66 67 33 26 and 95 33 43 43) to aid in the protection of the rights of persons with disabilities.

Article 17 Protecting the integrity of the person

80.Protection of the integrity of the person is guaranteed in article 15 of the Constitution, which states that all individuals have the right to life, liberty, and security and integrity of the person. Accordingly, any infringement of the physical or mental integrity of individuals, including persons with disabilities, is a punishable offence.

81.Articles 184 et seq. of the Children’s Code provide for the protection of the physical and mental integrity of children.

82.The protection afforded by those provisions is reinforced by the Criminal Code and by Act No. 2003-03 of 3 March 2003 on the Prevention and Punishment of Female Genital Mutilation in the Republic of Benin.

Article 18 Liberty of movement and nationality

83.Article 25 of the Constitution guarantees all citizens, including persons with disabilities, freedom of movement.

84.Persons with disabilities enjoy the right to a nationality on an equal basis with other citizens.

Article 19 Living independently and being included in the community

85.There are no restrictions on the right to freely choose one’s place of residence. Under article 52 of the Act on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the State is required to take appropriate measures to put an end to discrimination against persons with disabilities in matters relating to marriage, family, parenthood and relationships in accordance with the legislation in force.

86.Several support measures for the empowerment of persons with disabilities have been adopted thanks to the Support Fund for the Rehabilitation and Integration of Persons with Disabilities.

87.The Fund provides pupils with school supply kits at the start of each school year. In higher education, it supports students with disabilities who do not hold scholarships and who do not otherwise receive financial assistance. Each student who is in that situation receives CFAF 100,000 from the Fund each year. Since 2016, this grant has been increased to CFAF 110,000.

88.The Fund offers vocational guidance to persons with disabilities and refers them to vocational training centres.

89.It also supports the provision of treatment and assistance to persons with disabilities (surgical procedures and various types of equipment).

90.The Fund’s third strategic objective is to promote the socioeconomic integration of persons with disabilities. Persons with disabilities who have learned a trade are provided with appropriate kits in order to help them to set up their own business. The Fund also grants funds to persons with disabilities to enable them to undertake income-generating activities. In pursuit of this third objective, the Fund therefore promotes the self-employment of persons with disabilities.

91.Benin has been implementing the Community Rehabilitation Programme since 30 November 1989 with the aim of promoting independent living and social reintegration for persons with disabilities. A total of 4,558 persons with disabilities benefited from this programme in 2017 (source: World Health Organization (WHO)).

Article 20 Personal mobility

92.Articles 67 to 69 of the Act on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities facilitate the purchase of personal mobility materials and equipment for persons with disabilities by establishing tax and customs exemptions for equipment, devices and assistive technologies for persons with disabilities.

93.The Support Fund for the Rehabilitation and Integration of Persons with Disabilities, which became the National Solidarity Support Fund in 2016, promotes the mobility of persons with disabilities by providing assistive devices such as three-wheeled mobility devices, white canes and forearm crutches.

94.Policies have been developed and community-based rehabilitation centres have been set up to monitor the assistance provided to persons with disabilities. The various programmes in this area are being implemented with the support of the country’s technical and financial partners.

Article 21 Freedom of expression and opinion and access to information

95.Article 23 of the Constitution guarantees freedom of expression and opinion and access to information. Article 62 of the Act on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities establishes that public and private communication services, the press and audiovisual media shall take the needs of persons with disabilities into account in determining the manner in which they deliver their services. Chapter IV of part III of the Information and Communication Code (access to public sources of information) establishes the right of every citizen to gain access to documents and information held by a public body or by its staff in their capacity as such. In addition, as regards access to information, two bills – one on the official recognition of sign language and the other on access to information – are awaiting adoption.

96.Since 1 August 2015, a weekly 26-minute time slot has been set aside on the national television channel for a news programme designed for hard-of-hearing persons. There is also a one-hour programme on national radio each week that is hosted by and intended for persons with disabilities other than hearing impairments.

97.Sign language interpreting is provided for major national events.

Article 22 Respect for privacy

98.Respect for the privacy of all persons is guaranteed by the following articles of the Constitution:

•Article 20 states that the home is inviolable. Home visits and searches may be conducted only in the manner and under the conditions established by law.

•Article 21 states that the confidentiality of correspondence and communications is guaranteed by law.

99.Article 51 of the Act on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities prohibits all persons from arbitrarily or unlawfully interfering with the privacy of a person with disabilities, violating the privacy of his or her home or the confidentiality of his or her correspondence and communications or offending his or her honour, except for the purpose of protection.

100.Act No. 2009-09 of 22 May 2009 on the Protection of Personal Data in the Republic of Benin protects the personal data and privacy of all persons, including persons with disabilities.

101.In order to give effect to the above-mentioned provisions, the Government has set up the Personal Data Protection Authority, which has taken the place of the National Commission for Information Technology and Civil Liberties.

102.In addition, book V of the Digital Code is devoted to the protection of the personal data of all people, including persons with disabilities.

103.Article 48 of Act No. 2015-07 of 20 March 2015 (the Information and Communication Code) establishes the right to privacy of all persons, including persons with disabilities.

104.Various legislative and institutional measures have been taken in order to ensure that the privacy of persons with disabilities in Benin is respected.

Article 23 Respect for home and the family

105.Respect for home and the family is guaranteed by articles 20, 22 and 26 (2) of the Constitution.

106.The Personal and Family Code recognizes the right of all persons, without distinction of any kind, to marry, to have a family and to enjoy parental and personal relationships on an equal basis with others (art. 123).

107.The State protects the home and family of persons with disabilities in accordance with articles 51 and 52 of the Act on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. To this end, it takes appropriate measures to combat all discrimination against persons with disabilities. Family planning programmes are freely accessible to all persons, including those with disabilities.

108.The right of children to a home and a family environment is enshrined in articles 21 and 22 of the Children’s Code.

Article 24 Education

109.The right to education is enshrined in articles 12, 13 and 14 of the Constitution. Guaranteeing this right for persons with disabilities is a prerequisite for ensuring their autonomy, social integration and participation in community life.

110.Act No. 2003-17 of 11 November 2003 on National Education Policy, as amended by Act No. 2005-33 of 6 October 2005, establishes the general framework for the education system in Benin.

111.Articles 112 to 117 of the Children’s Code provide for access to education for all children without discrimination.

112.The Post-2015 Education Sector Plan, which is currently in the process of being approved, provides for specific benefits for persons with special needs.

113.Every year, assistive devices and school equipment, including white canes, forearm crutches, three-wheeled mobility devices, schoolbooks and bags, are distributed to persons with disabilities throughout the country. In 2014, 48 educational publications were translated into Braille. There are plans to increase the number of copies to 1,200 in 2018.

114.With financial support from USAID, RIFONGA-Bénin has made 40 primary and secondary schools in four departments (Zou, Collines, Atlantique and Littoral) accessible to persons with disabilities.

115.In addition, four roving assistants have been recruited under the module on educational inclusion for children with disabilities of the Benin School Enrolment Support Programme in order to provide support for teachers who have students with disabilities in their charge.

116.There are also several training and education centres for persons with disabilities.

117.Public institutions include:

•A special public secondary school for hard-of-hearing persons in Cotonou with a total of 36 students, of whom 25 are boys and 11 are girls

•A public primary school for deaf persons in Vêdoko

•Three public primary schools for persons with visual impairments in Cotonou, Parakou and Glazoué

•Two vocational training centres for persons with disabilities in Akassato and Péporyakou

•A library that is accessible to persons with disabilities at the Cotonou Court of Appeal.

118.Private institutions include:

•Centres for deaf persons in Bohicon, Parakou, Zê, Péporyakou, Cotonou (Agla) and Porto-Novo (Louho)

•Centres for blind persons in Parakou, Djanglamé, Adjohon, Abomey and Allada

•An education, training and integration programme for hard-of-hearing persons in Louho, Porto-Novo, which is open to children with and without disabilities

•Inclusive schools in Cotonou (Les Hibiscus School, Le Jardin des Oliviers School and Sainte Jocelyne School)

•Schools for deaf persons in Sénadé and Agla in Cotonou.

Article 25 Health

119.Article 8 (2) of the Constitution establishes that all persons have an equal right to health. This right is also guaranteed by articles 8, 18 and 21–29 of the Act on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The legislative framework in this area has been strengthened by other laws, namely:

•Act No. 2005-31 of 5 April 2006 on the Prevention, Treatment and Monitoring of HIV/AIDS in the Republic of Benin

•Act No. 2003-03 of 3 March 2003 on the Suppression of Female Genital Mutilation in the Republic of Benin

•Act No. 2006-19 of 5 September 2006 on the Suppression of Sexual Harassment and the Protection of Victims in the Republic of Benin

120.A total of 37 community-based rehabilitation management units in 33 communes have been set up. These centres deal with the clinical health and rehabilitation of children with disabilities.

121.There are also two orthopaedic equipment and functional rehabilitation centres for persons with disabilities in Bohicon and Parakou. Referral hospitals have medical rehabilitation services run by physiotherapists. In addition, a cast wedging centre has been set up in Lokossa to treat malformations of the lower limbs of persons with disabilities.

122.The Service des Soeurs pour la Promotion Humaine (Sisters’ Service for Human Development) assists with the functional rehabilitation of persons with disabilities in some communes that are not covered by the Community Rehabilitation Programme.

123.In 2005, the Ministry of Justice and Legislation, in partnership with the Kingdom of Denmark, ran a capacity-building course for health workers who come into direct contact with patients in order to improve the care provided to vulnerable persons, including persons with disabilities.

124.The universal health insurance scheme was established pursuant to a decision of the Council of Ministers at its meeting of 21 May 2008. The aim of this social protection mechanism is to significantly expand national health insurance coverage, which is currently quite limited, by ensuring that quality care is affordable for the majority of the Beninese population. Persons with disabilities can sign up for the scheme on more flexible and affordable terms. Since the adoption of the Government Action Programme in December 2016, the universal health insurance scheme has been replaced by the Insurance for the Strengthening of Human Capital (ARCH) plan.

125.Several programmes for the vaccination of children, including those with disabilities, have been carried out.

126.The Ministry of Health has created a special budget line for indigent persons.

127.In the context of the ongoing health sector reforms, persons with disabilities are being treated as a priority.

Article 26 Habilitation and rehabilitation

128.Article 66 of the Act on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities requires the State to take measures to ensure the rehabilitation of persons with disabilities.

129.Rehabilitation programmes for persons with disabilities are provided in 33 communes under the national Community Rehabilitation Programme, which has been operating since 1989. There are plans to extend this scheme to all the other communes in the country.

130.Some NGOs, such as Thalitakourn in Ndali, Équilibre Bénin and Emergenzia, support the State’s work through their rehabilitation centres for persons with disabilities.

Article 27 Work and employment

131.Pursuant to article 30 of the Constitution, the State recognizes that all persons have the right to work, endeavours to create conditions conducive to the effective enjoyment of this right and seeks to ensure that workers receive fair remuneration for their services or for what they produce.

132.Persons with disabilities are mentioned in articles 31 to 34 of the Labour Code (Act No. 98-004 of 27 January 1998). These articles concern the definition of disability status, the employment of persons with disabilities, non-discrimination against such persons in employment, the exemption of employers from the payment of their portion of the progressive tax on salaries, wages, pensions and life annuities in the case of employees with disabilities and the establishment of a national commission that certifies the status of persons with disabilities for employment purposes.

133.Articles 37 to 43 of the Act on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities deal with employment. These provisions require the State to ensure that persons with disabilities have access to employment, are not subject to wage discrimination and are able to avail themselves of the right to organize. The State also provides any business created by a person with disabilities for the benefit of other such persons with the following support:

•Training support staff

•Start-up grants

•Total or partial temporary or permanent exemptions

•Credit guarantees and technical support provided by public development agencies

134.By a decision of the Council of Ministers at its meeting of Wednesday, 17 September 2008 (statement No. 32), the Government instructed the Minister of the Civil Service and the Minister responsible for social protection to undertake a review of discriminatory laws and regulations that limit access to employment for persons with disabilities.

135.Other steps have been taken by local governments to incorporate the disability perspective into community development policies and programmes. One of the outcomes of this effort has been the recruitment of persons with disabilities in several communes.

Article 28 Adequate standard of living

136.The Benin Alafia 2025 Vision development plan envisages the country as “a beacon of good governance, united and at peace, with a prosperous, competitive economy, and a force for culture and social well-being”. This general policy is supported by strategic development guidelines and various policy documents on growth strategies for poverty reduction. In addition, in 1996, Benin adopted a population policy statement, which was then revised in 2006. The aim of this policy has been to improve the standard of living and quality of life of the population and, in the long term, to ensure that economic growth is in line with population growth. It covers a period of 20 years (from 1996 to 2016) and includes 16 objectives, 4 of which are directly related to social protection.

137.The Social Security Code extends protection to all persons and grants special protection to persons with disabilities who have become disabled in the course of their working life.

138.The improvement of living conditions is a priority of the Government Action Programme for 2016–2021. As part of this initiative, there are plans to introduce an insurance scheme to be known as the Insurance for the Strengthening of Human Capital (ARCH). There are also plans to improve employment support services with the help of a one-stop-shop approach. In addition, the Programme provides for the creation of a mechanism for the protection of the poorest and most vulnerable persons, with the ultimate goal of providing 4 million Beninese persons with coverage under the universal health insurance system.

139.The human development index value for Benin was 0.5 in 2010, 0.4 in 2012 and 0.476 in 2013. Along with Côte d’Ivoire, Mali and the Niger, Benin was one of four member countries of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) that saw an increase in their real gross domestic product (GDP) per capita from 2013 to 2014.

140.The country’s situation is therefore improving in terms of its real GDP per capita, which rose from US$ 805 in 2013 to US$ 825 in 2014. As a result, Benin ranked second among the member countries of WAEMU in 2014, after Senegal (US$ 998 in 2014, compared with US$ 1,047 in 2013).

Article 29 Participation in political and public life

141.The participation of persons with disabilities in political and public life is facilitated by such laws as the following:

•Articles 23 and 25 of the Constitution of 11 December 1990

•Articles 33 to 35 of the Act on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (Act No. 2017-06 of 29 September 2017)

• The Electoral Code of the Republic of Benin (Act No. 2013-06 of 25 November 2013)

•Decree No. 2001-234 of July 2001, which sets out the requirements for the establishment and of NGOs and their umbrella organizations

142.In accordance with the above-mentioned provisions, persons with disabilities have been appointed to various positions of responsibility, as prefects, directors, technical advisers, ambassadors, ministers and so on.

143.Ahead of the 2016 presidential election, 13,500 polling station officials received training from the National Independent Electoral Commission on how to accommodate persons with disabilities. This was part of a project aimed at bringing about a change in attitudes as a means of assisting persons with disabilities to exercise their right to vote. In collaboration with RIFONGA-Bénin, 40 polling stations in four departments (Zou, Collines, Atlantique and Littoral) have been equipped with infrastructure that meets accessibility standards for persons with disabilities.

144.In 2016, Benin nominated a person with disabilities, Mr. Baré R. Orou, for a position as an expert on the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Article 30 Participation in cultural life, recreation, leisure and sport

145.Articles 9, 10 and 11 of the Constitution establish that all persons have the right to culture, the right to personal growth and fulfilment and the right to develop their own culture while respecting that of others.

146.The Act on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities contains the following provisions:

•Article 59 states that persons with disabilities have the right to practise sport and leisure activities, to gain access to arts education centres and to have their works of art protected. It also states that public and private institutions are to take appropriate measures to safeguard and promote these rights.

•Article 60 states that persons with disabilities who hold an equal opportunities card are entitled to a reduction in fees for admission to public cultural and leisure centres.

•Article 61 states that public and private institutions shall create or improve public playgrounds and fit them out with special equipment in order to make them accessible to persons with disabilities.

•Article 62 states that public and private communication services, the press and audiovisual media shall take the needs of persons with disabilities into account in determining their modes of service delivery.

147.In 2017, the State granted subsidies of CFAF 14 million to the Federation Handisport du Benin, which is the national federation of adapted sports associations.

148.There are plans to provide reasonable accommodation in order to enable persons with disabilities to fully exercise their right to participate in cultural life, recreation, leisure and sport.

Article 31 Statistics

Main sociodemographic and economic indicators (Fourth General Population and Housing Census, 2013)

Table 1

Population structure, by sex and place of residence

Indicators	Benin	Urban	Rural
Disabilities
Number of persons with disabilities	92 495	43 656	48 839
Percentage of persons with one disability	90.3	91.0	89.8
Percentage of persons with two disabilities	8.0	7.3	8.6
Percentage of persons with three disabilities	1.7	1.8	1.6
Number of disabilities	102 997	48 374	54 623
Cerebral palsy	16.9	47.3	52.7
Amputation	5.1	41.2	58.8
Paralysis	11.3	43.8	56.2
Motor impairments – total	16.4	43.0	57.0
Amblyopia	32.5	54.4	45.6
Blindness	4.8	37.6	62.4
Visual impairments – total	37.4	52.2	47.8
Hearing impairment	7.7	39.4	60.6
Deafness	5.9	39.0	61.0
Muteness	4.4	43.3	56.7
Hearing and visual impairments – total	18.0	40.2	59.8
Down syndrome	1.5	40.1	59.9
Autism	1.0	48.3	51.7
Mental retardation	4.0	45.6	54.4
Intellectual impairments – total	6.4	44.7	55.3
Mental illness	5.0	46.5	53.5

Source : Main sociodemographic and economic indicators (General Population and Housing Census, 20).

Table 2

Population structure, by department

	Benin	Alibori	Atacora	Atlantique	Borgou	Collines	Couffo	Donga	Littoral	Mono	Ouémé	Plateau	Zou
Total	10 008 749	867 463	772 262	1 398 229	1 214 249	717 477	745 328	543 130	679 012	497 243	1 100 404	622 372	851 580
Age group
Up to 4 years	17.0	19.4	18.7	16.6	19.2	16.0	16.3	16.8	14.3	15.3	16.5	16.3	16.2
5–9 years	16.7	19.1	18.7	15.2	17.9	16.5	18.7	17.6	12.5	16.2	15.3	16.6	16.3
10–14 years	13.0	12.9	13.2	12.4	12.7	14.2	14.6	13.0	10.6	13.7	12.5	13.3	13.9
15–19 years	10.2	10.1	9.6	9.7	10.4	11.3	11.5	10.1	9.4	10.9	9.7	9.7	10.4
20–24 years	8.6	8.3	7.9	9.1	9.0	8.5	7.7	8.5	10.3	8.4	8.7	8.3	8.1
25–29 years	7.7	7.5	6.7	8.4	7.5	7.2	7.0	7.6	9.9	7.0	8.4	7.9	7.2
30–34 years	6.5	6.1	6.0	7.0	6.2	6.1	5.5	6.4	8.6	5.9	6.9	6.6	6.3
35–39 years	5.1	4.4	4.3	5.8	4.4	5.0	4.9	4.8	6.6	5.2	5.6	5.3	5.3
40–44 years	4.1	3.6	3.9	4.4	3.6	4.1	3.8	3.9	5.1	4.3	4.3	4.2	4.1
45–49 years	2.7	2.0	2.4	3.1	2.2	2.6	2.4	2.6	3.7	3.1	3.1	2.8	2.8
50–54 years	2.6	2.2	2.7	2.7	2.2	2.5	2.4	2.5	3.0	2.9	2.9	2.6	2.7
55–59 years	1.3	1.0	1.3	1.4	1.1	1.3	0.9	1.2	1.9	1.5	1.6	1.4	1.3
60–64 years	1.6	1.3	1.7	1.5	1.3	1.7	1.6	1.6	1.6	1.9	1.8	1.7	1.9
65–69 years	0.7	0.5	0.8	0.7	0.5	0.9	0.6	0.8	0.9	0.9	0.8	0.9	0.8
70–74 years	0.8	0.8	1.0	0.7	0.8	0.9	0.7	1.0	0.7	1.1	0.7	0.9	1.1
75–79 years	0.4	0.2	0.4	0.3	0.3	0.4	0.3	0.4	0.4	0.5	0.3	0.4	0.5
80–84 years	0.5	0.4	0.5	0.4	0.4	0.5	0.7	0.6	0.3	0.7	0.4	0.5	0.7
85–89 years	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.2	0.1	0.2	0.1	0.2	0.1	0.2	0.2
90–94 years	0.1	0.1	0.2	0.1	0.2	0.2	0.2	0.2	0.1	0.2	0.1	0.1	0.2
95–98 years	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.2	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1
Total	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0

Source : Fourth General Population and Housing Census, 2013.

Table 4

Status of the population in Benin, by place of residence

Indicators	Benin	Alibori	Atacora	Atlantique	Borgou	Collines	Couffo	Donga	Littoral	Mono	Ouémé	Plateau	Zou
Number of inhabitants	10 008 749	867 463	772 262	1 398 229	1 214 249	717 477	745 328	543 130	679 012	497 243	1 100 404	622 372	851 580
Population density (inhabitants/km²)	87	33	38	432	47	52	310	49	8 595	310	859	191	162
Growth rate in the intercensal period (%)	3.5	4.6	3.1	5.1	4.7	2.6	3.2	4.0	0.2	2.9	3.7	3.8	3.2
Place of residence
Proportion of the population living in urban areas (%)	44.6	24.3	37.2	44.5	43.6	27.5	27.8	42.1	100.0	49.7	62.8	45.2	33.0
Proportion of the population living in rural areas (%)	55.4	75.7	62.8	55.5	56.4	72.5	72.2	57.9	0.0	50.3	37.2	54.8	67.0
Women
Proportion of the population who are women (%)	51.2	50.3	50.7	50.9	50.0	50.7	53.2	50.1	52.0	51.4	51.4	51.8	52.2
Proportion of the population who are women of reproductive age (15–49 years) (%)	23.9	22.0	21.8	24.8	22.3	23.5	24.3	23.3	28.0	23.7	24.8	24.3	23.9
Useful age groups
Number of children under 1 year old	334 071	27 904	26 892	50 238	42 236	23 291	21 860	17 417	22 047	15 569	37 940	20 016	28 661
Number of children up to 2 years old	962 237	90 601	78 290	136 961	129 325	65 620	65 233	50 195	59 500	43 471	106 701	57 625	78 715
Number of children up to 3 years old	1 355 382	132 412	113 655	186 878	185 123	92 279	94 853	72 204	79 005	60 542	146 392	81 312	110 727
Number of children under 5 years old	1 699 406	168 383	144 209	231 636	232 862	115 129	121 198	91 014	97 273	76 021	181 718	101 652	138 311
Number of children up to 14 years old	4 669 092	445 670	390 820	617 737	604 292	335 023	369 224	257 120	254 101	224 452	487 738	287 626	395 289
Number of children up to 17 years old	5 301 032	501 153	437 212	700 490	683 000	386 339	421 597	291 096	292 221	258 307	552 887	325 851	450 879
Number of children aged 1–4 years	1 365 335	140 479	117 317	181 398	190 626	91 838	99 338	73 597	75 226	60 452	143 778	81 636	109 650
Number of children aged 3–5 years	1 115 205	116 545	98 628	142 317	155 374	76 024	86 750	62 326	56 294	50 140	112 697	66 954	91 156
Number of children aged 6–11 years	1 841 216	177 496	156 764	236 274	233 887	133 010	154 013	104 935	95 398	90 596	187 873	115 329	155 641
Number of children aged 6 years and over	7 930 861	660 282	595 226	1 118 888	929 488	575 824	593 338	430 601	563 209	403 546	880 982	497 780	681 697
Number of persons aged 15–19 years	1 019 846	87 845	74 497	135 411	126 677	80 879	85 678	54 974	64 112	54 426	106 531	60 454	88 362
Number of persons aged 15–29 years	2 657 360	224 870	186 947	380 662	327 328	193 343	195 413	142 499	201 614	130 844	294 504	161 365	217 971
Other useful age groups
Number of school-age children (6–14 years)	2 591 650	238 524	213 902	338 459	319 593	193 379	217 241	144 599	138 307	130 841	268 340	163 047	225 418
Number of persons of voting age (18 years and over)	4 707 271	366 275	334 932	697 676	531 187	331 129	323 724	252 026	386 782	238 850	547 493	296 508	400 689
Number of persons aged 10 years and over	6 639 951	533 251	483 197	953 927	763 914	484 226	484 818	356 652	497 169	340 603	750 357	417 379	574 458

Source : Fourth General Population and Housing Census, 2013.

Table 6

Population dynamics, by place of residence and department

Indicators	Benin	Urban	Rural	Alibori	Atacora	Atlantique	Borgou	Collines	Couffo	Donga	Littoral	Mono	Ouémé	Plateau	Zou
Fertility
Total fertility rate (children per woman)	4.8	4.1	5.4	5.7	5.6	4.4	5.4	5.1	5.4	4.6	3.7	4.8	4.6	4.7	5.1
General fertility rate (‰)	152.7	130.6	172.1	185.9	179.2	141.5	176.9	160.4	165.3	148.7	120.1	146.1	148.2	149.1	158.5
Crude birth rate (‰)	36.4	32.8	39.3	40.9	39.0	35.1	39.5	37.6	40.1	34.6	33.6	34.7	36.7	36.2	37.8
Average age of mothers at childbirth (years)	28.2	28.5	28.1	27.2	27.8	28.7	27.1	28.2	29.0	28.0	29.0	28.6	28.7	28.8	28.6
Gross reproduction rate (girls per woman)	2.3	2.0	2.6	2.8	2.8	2.2	2.7	2.5	2.7	2.3	1.8	2.3	2.2	2.3	2.5
Child mortality
Adjusted infant mortality rate (‰)	68.1	62.7	71.4
Adjusted child mortality rate (‰)	41.0	36.2	43.8
Adjusted mortality rate for children under 5 years old (‰)	106.3	96.6	112.1
Crude death rate (‰)	8.5	7.7	9.15
Life expectancy at birth (years)	63.84	64.74	61.88
Maternal mortality
Maternal mortality ratio (per 100,000 live births)	335.5	288.7	367
Marriage
Proportion of single persons (%)	44.6	45.6	43.8	41.9	43.2	43.8	44.3	47.4	48.8	45.7	45.8	46.1	43.7	43.9	43.7
Proportion of married persons (%)	47.8	46.2	49.2	51.4	46.0	48.9	48.9	46.1	45.6	48.0	44.9	44.7	49.0	49.1	47.9
Proportion of divorced persons (%)	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.6	1.0	0.7	0.7	0.6	0.3	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.6	0.5	0.6
Proportion of widowed persons (%)	3.3	3.1	3.4	2.1	4.9	3.2	2.2	3.0	3.4	2.8	3.0	4.2	3.5	3.2	4.4
Proportion of separated persons (%)	0.7	0.7	0.6	0.5	1.1	0.7	0.6	0.5	0.3	0.5	1.0	0.8	0.7	0.7	0.6
Proportion of persons in de facto unions (%)	0.8	1.0	0.7	0.4	1.4	0.8	0.7	1.1	0.3	0.4	1.9	1.3	0.5	0.7	1.0
Polygamy rate (%)	23.5	18.78	27.44	25.8	22.8	18.0	25.2	27.3	40.0	30.4	8.9	24.3	17.8	26.3	28.1
Average age of men at first marriage (years)	26.0	26.6	25.3	24.4	25.5	26.1	25.5	26.4	25.9	26.8	27.8	26.1	26.1	25.8	25.4
Average age of women at first marriage (years)	20.6	21.7	20.0	18.2	19.1	21.7	19.1	21.0	21.4	20.5	23.4	21.6	21.7	21.4	21.0
Number of wives per married man	1.30	1.24	1.35	1.31	1.27	1.23	1.30	1.35	1.57	1.39	1.11	1.32	1.22	1.35	1.38

Source : Fourth General Population and Housing Census, 2013.

Table 7

Literacy and education by place of residence and department

Indicators	Benin	Urban	Rural	Alibori	Atacora	Atlantique	Borgou	Collines	Couffo	Donga	Littoral	Mono	Ouémé	Plateau	Zou
Literacy
Literacy rate among persons aged 6 years and over	50.6	62.6	40.5	22.1	35.1	63.1	39.7	53.9	50.1	39.8	77.3	61.4	61.9	43.9	52.0
Literacy rate among persons aged 15–24 years (%)	60.1	71.8	49.7	25.7	43.5	72 . 7	47.2	65.5	66.3	51.5	81.0	79.1	71.7	54.1	62.8
Rate of literacy in French among persons aged 15–24 years (%)	59.2	70.9	48.9	24.4	42.8	72.0	46.1	64.7	65.5	50.7	80.0	78.6	70.9	52.9	62.1
Rate of literacy in a national language among persons aged 15–24 years (%)	14.8	17.5	12.4	6.5	15.4	18.3	12.1	18.6	10.1	12.5	20.5	13.9	13.2	17.9	18.5
Literacy rate among persons aged 15 years and over (%)	43.1	56.4	31.1	17.5	26.0	56.5	33.5	43.3	39.6	30.9	73.8	52.1	52.6	34.1	40.8
Rate of literacy in French among persons aged 15 years and over (%)	41.7	54.9	29.9	15.7	25.1	55.3	31.8	42.2	38.5	29.7	71.7	51.3	51.2	32.3	39.8
Rate of literacy in a national language among persons aged 15 years and over (%)	11.0	14.1	8.2	4.7	10.0	14.5	8.9	12.9	6.6	8.0	19.3	9.8	9.7	11.7	12.3
Education
Gross enrolment ratio at preschool level for children aged 3–5 years (%)	6.2	10.2	3.6	1.7	2.1	7.4	4.6	5.8	2.0	8.6	19.6	6.9	12.0	4.0	5.9
Net enrolment ratio at preschool level for children aged 3–5 years (%)	5.9	9.9	3.3	1.6	1.9	7.2	4.3	5.6	1.8	7.6	19.3	6.6	11.6	3.7	5.5
Adjusted net enrolment ratio at preschool level for children aged 3–5 years (%)	26.3	36.9	19.3	9.4	14.0	35.0	17.0	29.4	20.2	23.6	54.9	34.5	42.1	24.2	28.9
Gross enrolment ratio for children aged 6–11 years (%)	96.6	111.9	86.1	43.2	77.5	116.5	72.3	111.8	99.5	87.2	120.6	129.2	120.0	96.4	112.1
Gross enrolment ratio for girls (%)	94.1	109.7	83.0	42.3	73.9	112.6	73.1	110.4	93.9	85.1	117.3	127.2	117.2	92.7	108.4
Gross enrolment ratio for boys (%)	96.6	111.9	86.1	43.2	77.5	116.5	72.3	111.8	99.5	87.2	120.6	129.2	120.0	96.4	112.1
Gender parity index of the gross enrolment ratio at primary level for children aged 6–11 years	97.4	98.0	96.4	97.9	95.4	96.7	101.1	98.7	94.3	97.6	97.3	98.5	97.7	96.2	96.7
Net enrolment ratio for children aged 6–11 years (%)	56.9	75.6	57.2	29.2	51.7	77.8	49.5	74.2	66.1	57.8	84.2	81.6	81.6	63.8	74.9
Net enrolment ratio for girls (%)	55.7	74.2	55.4	28.7	49.5	75.7	50.1	73.3	62.6	56.8	81.6	80.8	79.6	61.4	73.0
Net enrolment ratio for boys (%)	58.1	77.0	58.8	29.7	53.9	79.9	48.9	75.0	69.6	58.7	86.9	82.4	83.6	66.0	76.8
Gender parity index of the net enrolment ratio at primary level for children aged 6–11 years	95.8	96.5	94.2	96.8	91.8	94.7	102.5	97.7	89.9	96.6	93.9	98.1	95.2	93.0	95.1

Source : Fourth General Population and Housing Census, 2013.

Table 8

Ethnicity and religion, by department

Indicators	Benin	Alibori	Atacora	Atlantique	Borgou	Collines	Couffo	Donga	Littoral	Mono	Ouémé	Plateau	Zou
Ethnicity
Adja and related groups	15.1	0.2	0.3	15.6	1.0	1.8	90.7	0.5	17.7	69.0	8.1	1.1	2.4
Fon and related groups	38.4	0.9	1.3	76.3	4.4	38.5	8.5	1.2	56.5	27.8	78.7	29.0	92.3
Bariba and related groups	9.6	37.1	19.0	0.5	37.6	0.4	(*)	2.1	0.9	0.1	0.2	0.1	0.1
Dendi and related groups	2.9	20.1	1.1	0.5	3.2	0.4	(*)	7.5	1.9	0.1	0.3	0.1	0.2
Yoa-Lokpa and related groups	4.3	0.3	2.6	0.5	3.8	2.5	(*)	59.0	1.6	0.1	0.4	0.1	0.1
Fulani	8.6	26.5	12.5	0.1	33.0	5.6	(*)	15.7	0.3	0.1	0.1	0.2	0.6
Gua or Otamari and related groups	6.1	1.2	59.3	0.3	7.6	2.7	(*)	4.6	0.3	(*)	0.1	0.1	0.1
Yoruba and related groups	12.0	5.1	0.9	4.5	6.2	46.2	0.3	6.6	10.9	0.6	10.1	68.7	3.2
Other ethnic groups in Benin	0.9	4.7	1.6	0.2	1.0	0.4	0.1	1.3	1.2	0.2	0.2	0.1	0.4
Foreigners	1.9	3.3	1.3	1.3	2.0	1.3	0.3	1.4	8.5	1.8	1.6	0.4	0.5
Religion
Voodoo	11.6	0.5	6.3	12.1	1.0	5.9	56.5	0.4	1.6	33.1	6.0	7.4	20.1
Catholicism	25.5	8.6	20.7	39.3	15.0	37.2	5.9	11.9	51.2	20.6	34.6	24.6	26.6
Methodism	3.4	0.5	1.8	3.3	1.2	8.0	2.2	1.0	3.7	2.4	7.8	5.6	3.1
Other branches of Protestantism	3.4	0.4	2.4	3.5	1.7	2.2	5.6	1.1	2.1	4.1	7.7	3.8	5.0
Celestial Church of Christ	6.7	0.2	0.8	11.0	0.7	6.6	5.7	0.2	5.7	6.2	17.4	10.0	10.8
Islam	27.7	81.3	26.9	4.4	69.8	16.3	0.9	77.9	16.9	1.5	12.1	18.6	3.5
Other branches of Christianity	9.5	0.9	1.6	15.0	2.8	10.5	15.2	1.8	12.2	14.7	8.3	15.8	16.5
Other traditional religions	2.6	1.8	18.0	0.8	1.3	1.2	1.4	1.8	0.3	1.2	0.6	3.3	1.9
Other religions	2.6	0.4	1.2	4.1	0.8	4.1	2.6	0.5	2.7	4.5	2.3	4.0	4.6
None	5.8	3.5	19.0	5.5	4.3	7.1	2.9	2.4	2.8	10.5	2.3	5.7	7.0

Source : Fourth General Population and Housing Census, 2013.

Table 9

Economic characteristics of the population, by place of residence and department

Indicators	Benin	Urban	Rural	Alibori	Atacora	Atlantique	Borgou	Collines	Couffo	Donga	Littoral	Mono	Ouémé	Plateau	Zou
Labour force (10 years and over)
Size of the labour force	3 189 117	1 435 318	1 753 799	244 153	199 960	463 479	312 366	238 990	238 895	138 053	262 816	156 696	411 376	212 630	309 703
Female workers as a proportion of the total labour force	41.1	43.0	39.4	25.7	26.8	43.5	24.7	44.8	52.5	23.6	46.4	48.6	49.7	43.2	50.0
Employed persons as a proportion of the total labour force	97.7	97.2	98.1	97.4	98.1	97.4	97.3	98.8	97.5	96.0	96.4	97.8	98.3	97.9	98.5
Persons employed in the primary sector as a proportion of the total labour force	50.1	25.7	67.4	85.4	80.6	28.6	69.2	65.2	72.2	66.1	2.1	51.7	14.6	50.9	48.5
Persons employed in the secondary sector as a proportion of the total labour force	17.1	24.1	12.1	4.1	8.3	25.4	10.7	14.2	11.9	12.3	27.6	19.6	26.1	17.1	18.4
Persons employed in the tertiary sector as a proportion of the total labour force	31.7	48.5	19.8	9.1	10.1	44.5	19.1	19.9	15.3	20.4	68.1	27.7	58.2	30.8	32.4
Employed women as a proportion of the total labour force	41.2	43.2	39.6	25.7	26.6	43.7	24.5	44.9	53.0	23.2	46.6	49.0	49.8	43.3	50.2
Unemployed persons as a proportion of the total labour force	2.3	2.8	1.9	2.6	1.9	2.6	2.7	1.2	2.5	4.0	3.6	2.2	1.7	2.1	1.5
Unemployed women as a proportion of the total labour force	35.2	36.5	33.5	27.1	35.2	37.9	30.5	32.9	32.2	32.0	41.0	32.9	40.9	34.8	38.0
Persons employed in the informal sector as a proportion of the total labour force	91.3	85.1	96.2	96.6	95.1	86.3	92.6	94.7	95.8	95.3	77.1	92.6	90.1	94.1	93.4
Persons employed in the public formal sector as a proportion of the total labour force	1.9	3.4	0.6	0.6	1.1	3.4	1.7	0.9	0.6	0.9	5.1	1.5	2.0	0.8	1.5
Persons employed in the private formal sector as a proportion of the total labour force	6.9	11.4	3.2	2.8	3.7	10.3	5.8	4.4	3.6	3.8	17.8	5.9	7.9	5.1	5.1
Economic dependency ratio	0.5	0.5	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.5	0.6	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.4	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5
Real economic dependency ratio	2.2	2.2	2.2	2.6	2.9	2.1	3.0	2.0	2.2	3.1	1.7	2.2	1.7	2.0	1.8
Labour force (15–64 years)
Size of the labour force	2 860 078	1 337 432	1 522 646	201 622	170 333	433 515	271 652	213 069	208 974	120 021	253 892	142 220	383 716	185 815	275 249
Female workers as a proportion of the total labour force	41.4	43.1	39.9	25.4	27.2	43.4	25.2	45.3	52.6	24.2	46.0	48.6	49.5	43.1	50.1
Employed persons as a proportion of the total labour force	97.7	97.1	98.2	97.4	98.2	97.4	97.2	98.7	97.6	96.1	96.4	97.7	98.3	97.9	98.5
Persons employed in the primary sector as a proportion of the total labour force	47.3	23.6	65.2	83.7	78.8	26.9	66.2	63.6	70.7	63.5	2.0	49.6	13.5	48.1	46.4
Persons employed in the secondary sector as a proportion of the total labour force	17.8	24.6	12.7	4.5	9.1	25.8	11.6	14.7	12.0	13.1	27.5	20.4	26.2	17.7	18.7
Persons employed in the tertiary sector as a proportion of the total labour force	33.7	50.1	21.3	10.4	11.2	45.7	21.1	21.0	16.6	22.3	68.4	29.1	59.2	32.9	34.2
Employed women as a proportion of the total labour force	41.6	43.3	40.1	25.4	27.1	43.6	25.1	45.4	53.2	24.0	46.2	49.0	49.7	43.3	50.3
Unemployed persons as a proportion of the total labour force	2.3	2.9	1.8	2.6	1.8	2.6	2.8	1.3	2.4	3.9	3.6	2.3	1.7	2.1	1.5
Unemployed women as a proportion of the total labour force	34.1	35.9	31.7	25.4	32.8	37.5	29.6	32.1	29.8	30.0	40.7	31.8	40.1	32.6	36.0
Persons employed in the informal sector as a proportion of the total labour force	90.4	84.3	95.7	96.0	94.4	85.5	91.6	94.1	95.3	94.7	76.6	92.0	89.5	93.5	92.7
Persons employed in the public formal sector as a proportion of the total labour force	2.1	3.6	0.7	0.7	1.3	3.6	1.9	1.0	0.7	1.0	5.2	1.6	2.2	0.9	1.7
Persons employed in the private formal sector as a proportion of the total labour force	7.5	12.1	3.5	3.3	4.3	10.9	6.5	4.9	4.0	4.3	18.2	6.4	8.3	5.6	5.6
Economic dependency ratio	1.0	0.9	1.1	1.2	1.2	0.9	1.1	1.0	1.1	1.0	0.7	1.0	0.9	1.0	1.0
Real economic dependency ratio	2.6	2.4	2.7	3.4	3.6	2.3	3.6	2.4	2.7	3.7	1.8	2.6	1.9	2.4	2.1

Source : Fourth General Population and Housing Census, 2013.

Table 16

Population projections, by age group and sex for 2014 to 2018

Age group	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018
Total	Men	Women	Total	Men	Women	Total	Men	Total	Men	Women	Total	Men	Women
Up to 4 years	1 701 374	861 424	839 950	1 710 027	867 491	842 536	1 724 707	876 597	1 745 104	888 595	856 509	1 771 128	903 445	867 683
5–9 years	1 689 909	854 978	834 931	1 695 915	856 846	839 069	1 690 244	853 324	1 677 087	846 434	830 653	1 660 861	838 292	822 569
10–14 years	1 374 593	706 473	668 120	1 452 913	744 009	708 904	1 530 148	780 536	1 599 226	812 826	786 400	1 654 258	838 200	816 058
15–19 years	1 062 951	544 791	518 160	1 110 397	572 180	538 217	1 163 229	600 456	1 222 817	630 867	591 950	1 289 410	663 989	625 421
20–24 years	884 275	409 678	474 597	908 355	431 962	476 393	936 421	456 779	969 251	483 082	486 169	1 007 377	510 094	497 283
25–29 years	790 242	338 611	451 631	804 474	346 549	457 925	818 147	356 225	833 073	368 471	464 602	850 692	383 835	466 857
30–34 years	675 442	304 267	371 175	699 479	309 778	389 701	722 299	314 616	743 160	319 636	423 524	761 689	325 539	436 150
35–39 years	537 319	251 783	285 536	562 066	262 149	299 917	588 013	272 972	613 999	283 012	330 987	639 136	291 441	347 695
40–44 years	431 830	212 148	219 682	450 071	218 774	231 297	466 547	224 131	483 774	229 826	253 948	503 488	236 956	266 532
45–49 years	289 839	144 235	145 604	314 668	156 832	157 836	344 261	171 500	373 661	185 593	188 068	399 400	197 278	202 122
50–54 years	266 849	129 754	137 095	264 881	129 100	135 781	259 141	126 844	256 959	126 406	130 553	263 321	130 076	133 245
55–59 years	146 089	73 173	72 916	172 060	85 118	86 942	202 796	99 128	229 789	111 420	118 369	247 442	119 534	127 908
60–64 years	157 044	74 705	82 339	144 394	69 494	74 900	129 272	63 241	119 937	59 577	60 360	121 624	60 776	60 848
65–69 years	85 180	40 418	44 762	103 178	48 609	54 569	122 941	57 543	137 830	64 308	73 522	143 917	67 214	76 703
70–74 years	81 379	36 643	44 736	73 117	33 189	39 928	64 104	29 468	59 402	27 672	31 730	61 754	28 963	32 791
75–79 years	40 390	17 675	22 715	49 124	21 528	27 596	57 572	25 240	62 546	27 436	35 110	62 810	27 607	35 203
80 years and over	78 530	32 616	45 914	69 816	28 870	40 946	63 111	26 003	59 170	24 346	34 824	57 833	23 820	34 013
Benin	10 293 235	5 033 372	5 259 863	10 584 935	5 182 478	5 402 457	10 882 953	5 334 603	11 186 785	5 489 507	5 697 278	11 496 140	5 647 059	5 849 081
Useful age groups
Under 1 year	349 032	178 249	170 783	355 515	181 557	173 958	361 370	184 538	367 038	187 424	179 614	372 748	190 331	182 417
Up to 2 years	1 029 772	522 205	507 567	1 038 266	528 199	510 067	1 052 614	537 152	1 070 792	546 381	524 411	1 088 169	555 214	532 955
Up to 3 years	1 366 451	692 272	674 179	1 375 036	698 308	676 728	1 389 583	707 354	1 409 740	719 240	690 500	1 433 749	731 421	702 328
1–4 years	1 352 342	683 175	669 167	1 354 512	685 934	668 578	1 363 337	692 059	1 378 066	701 171	676 895	1 398 380	713 114	685 266
6–11 years	1 956 872	993 609	963 263	1 994 961	1 010 524	984 437	2 016 041	1 019 427	2 022 291	1 021 407	1 000 884	2 016 965	1 018 042	998 923
6–14 years	2 731 100	1 393 117	1 337 983	2 815 371	1 432 496	1 382 875	2 886 833	1 465 455	2 942 587	1 490 779	1 451 808	2 981 121	1 507 885	1 473 236
18 years and over	4 860 577	2 266 314	2 594 263	5 028 277	2 353 577	2 674 700	5 206 585	2 446 376	5 394 995	2 544 310	2 850 685	5 593 480	2 647 399	2 946 081

Source : Fourth General Population and Housing Census, 2013.

Article 32 International cooperation

149.Various initiatives have been organized with the support of international cooperation partners. These include:

•Within the framework of a partnership with the West Africa Regional Office of OHCHR, the following activities have been carried out:

•The organization of a workshop on taking ownership of the Convention and its Optional Protocol attended by around 30 State and non-State actors involved in the promotion and protection of human rights, in January 2017.

•The publication, dissemination and popularization of texts concerning the protection and promotion of the rights of persons with disabilities.

•The organization of an awareness-raising day focusing on the Convention and its Optional Protocol for 100 local elected officials from communes in the departments of Zou, Collines, Mono, Couffo, Ouémé, Plateau, Atlantique and Littoral in September 2017.

•The organization of a data-collection workshop in preparation for drafting the initial report of Benin on the implementation of the Convention.

150.The following activities were carried out in partnership with Handicap International:

•The publication, dissemination and popularization of the Convention for local elected officials and associations of persons with disabilities in 2017.

•The organization of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities by the Ministry responsible for family affairs.

•Awareness-raising among several communal councils about the importance of incorporating disability issues into communal development plans.

•A partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in connection with the validation of the consolidated initial report on the implementation of the Convention.

Article 33 National implementation and monitoring

151.A national committee responsible for monitoring the implementation of international human rights instruments was established by Decree No. 96-433 of 4 October 1996. This committee oversees the implementation of all the conventions to which Benin is a party. Decree No. 96-433 is currently under review.

152.Act No. 2012-36 of 15 February 2012 provides for the establishment of a national human rights institution, the Benin Human Rights Commission. The process of setting up this institution is under way.

IV.Conclusion

153.The legislative and institutional framework for the promotion and protection of human rights in Benin is conducive to the implementation of the rights of persons with disabilities.

154.Specific policies, programmes and projects have been developed, implemented and evaluated. These initiatives have met with varying degrees of success.

155.The political will to ensure that the rights of persons with disabilities are recognized is present in Benin.

156.Although progress has been made, there are still many obstacles to the effective enjoyment of those rights. The main constraints are as follows:

•The resources allocated for the implementation of policies, programmes and projects are often insufficient

•Certain harmful traditional practices have persisted

•There is not a strong culture of respect for human rights

157.With that in mind, several challenges need to be addressed in order to ensure a fuller implementation of the rights of persons with disabilities. The necessary measures in this connection include:

•Stepping up efforts to empower persons with disabilities

•Putting in place public infrastructure that is accessible to persons with disabilities

•Gradually eliminating all discrimination on the basis of disability

•Strengthening the institutional framework for the protection of the rights of persons with disabilities

158.As the dialogue concerning ways to promote and protect human rights more effectively is an ongoing one, Benin remains open to all forms of cooperation. It would welcome support from the international community and from its technical and financial partners in its efforts to give effect to all the rights of persons with disabilities.