Advocacy for children’s rights

All children have equal rights to care and protection, and to live a healthy life free from abuse. SOS Children’s Villages defends and promotes these rights for all children in Benin. We work with partners to improve laws, policies, and practices so that every child and young person, and their families, receive the care and support they need. To this end, since 2011, SOS Children’s Villages has held the position of President of the Network of Structures for the Protection of Children in Difficult Situations (ReSPESD), which has actively contributed to the establishment of norms and standards applicable to child care and protection centers (2012), the Children’s Code (2015) and the Central Authority for Intercountry Adoption in Benin (2016), a Beninese government agency in which SOS Children’s Villages holds the position of First Rapporteur. By advocating for the respect of their rights, all children can develop their full potential to become full members of Beninese society.