Radio campaign speaks out against child abuse in Benin

SOS Children's Villages Benin is using a radio campaign to fight against corporal punishment and the abuse of children.

Whether it is within the family, at school or on the streets, for many adults in Benin, hitting children is common practice and the abuse of children is a widespread problem. The media in Benin have reported several shocking abuse cases and in some of those cases children died as a result of abuse.

In 2007, SOS Children became the first children's charity in Benin to speak out against corporal punishment and the abuse of children in a large publicity campaign. Everyone who worked for SOS Children was involved, from the National Director to the Village Director, SOS mothers and social workers to caretakers and drivers. Every staff member was given information and publicity materials so that he or she could actively get involved. They wrote a radio spot, in French (the official language) and in Benin's other main three languages: Fon, Dendi and Idaatcha. Staff members from SOS Children's Villages were also involved as narrators in the radio spot.

Why radio? Almost all families in Benin have one - even those who live in remote villages. The spot was broadcast on the radio on local, supra-regional and national radio stations from mid-2007. SOS mothers, Village Directors and staff members were interviewed on the radio and took part in discussions. In parallel, SOS co-workers visited to schools to increase awareness on the matter. In a symbolic gesture, teachers set fire to canes and belts in front of their pupils.

SOS Children's Villages Benin's campaign against corporal punishment and the abuse of children, which lasted for 18 months, reached out to hundreds of thousands of people and made an important contribution towards raising awareness on children's rights. Although SOS Children's Villages received criticism for its action against corporal punishment, by people such as university professors, a survey revealed that 90% of those questioned said that SOS Children's Villages had led to a change in their attitude towards corporal punishment.

"The fight against corporal punishment poses a great challenge for SOS Children's Villages Benin, which stands up for the rights of children throughout the country", highlighted Salimane Issifou, the director of SOS Children's Villages Benin. "And we will carry on fighting."