By Metohuey Michael Adoglo
Véronique Tognifodé, Minister of Social Affairs and Microfinance, officially handed over yesterday, January 6, to the promoters of the Child Care and Protection Centers (Cape), the approvals, authorizing them from now on to welcome, take care of and reintegrate children in difficult situations in Benin.
The promoters of the Centres of Care and Protection of the Child who have complied with the norms and standards applicable to their structures in Benin have seen their efforts crowned with success. They received yesterday, Thursday January 6th, the approvals authorizing them to work for the benefit of vulnerable children in Benin. This is a passport which, while allowing them to work freely, also obliges them to undergo any necessary controls.
Véronique Tognifodé, Minister of Social Affairs and Microfinance, says that the handing over of these approvals by the State is a strong signal to demand from the promoters of child protection structures a minimum of protective environment for children in difficult situation. The ministerial authority informs that the new year will dedicate reforms in child protection in the best interest of each child in difficult situation in Benin. As for day care centers and similar structures, a decree will clearly define the required standards and their relationship with state structures.
Faced with the challenges facing the country in terms of violence, abuse, exploitation of children with the resurgence of cases of rape, unwanted pregnancy, early marriage, the Minister of Social Affairs notes that the government will continue to improve the living conditions of the population through the protection of vulnerable groups including children.
To this end, she continued, a new action plan of the National Child Protection Policy has been developed in 2021 and has redefined the roles and responsibilities of each actor in the process. “Therefore, 2022 will be a year of action.
Véronique Tognifodé emphasizes that the delivery of these approvals is not an end in itself but an ongoing process.
