Draft:Bénédicta Aloakinnou

Bénédicta Aloakinnou

Born Kpènassou Marie Thérèse Bénédicta Aloakinnou

October 1, 1997 (age 27)

Lokossa, Mono (Benin)

University University of Parakou, Paris 8 University

Profession Jurist

Activity Feminist activist

Kpènassou Marie Thérèse Bénédicta Aloakinnou, born October 1, 1997 in Lokossa (Mono) is a Beninese feminist activist and jurist, founder of several initiatives promoting gender equality, and an advocate for the rights of women and girls in northern Benin.

Biography

Education

Bénédicta Aloakinnou studied law at the University of Parakou from 2014 to 2021. There, she obtained a bachelor's degree in business law and judicial careers, as well as a research master's degree in fundamental criminal law with an option in private law and criminal sciences. Since the start of her studies, she has been committed to the cause of girls' and women's rights, which led her to write a thesis on the treatment of female criminality in Benin.

Career and Activism

Fondation des Jeunes Amazones pour le Développement

Bénédicta Aloakinnou is the founder, president, and project leader of the Fondation des Jeunes Amazones pour le Développement, a nonprofit feminist organization launched in 2017. The foundation promotes gender equality, supports women’s empowerment, and encourages young girls to assert their voices and strive for excellence in northern Benin, where socio-cultural obstacles limit women's opportunities. With a growing community of 40 young feminists, the foundation’s initiatives aim to dismantle stereotypes, foster women's economic independence, support youth employment, strengthen civil society organizations, and collaborate with key partners such as Oxfam Benin, FDA, Feministes en Action, and UNFPA.

Lead'elles

Bénédicta is also the founder of Lead'ELLES, the first platform for women's civic participation in Benin. Lead’ELLES is a tech initiative aimed at strengthening women's leadership and civic engagement through both virtual and physical incubators. It offers a platform for "Women Leadership Classes" and networking opportunities, connecting women within Benin to promote increased civic involvement and community-based initiatives. The initiative helps women in transforming their aspirations into actions, build self-confidence, and encourage leadership within their communities. Lead'ELLES was recognized as a winner of the #ConnexionsCitoyennes program by CFI Medias.

Her work as Consultant and Training Manager

In addition to her advocacy work, Aloakinnou provides consulting services on women's and girls' rights to various organizations. She is a training manager at the Institut Tonafa, an institution that works on preventing violent extremism, promoting non-violence, and supporting women's participation in decision-making processes.

Facilitator at EQUIPOP NGO

Since July 2022, Bénédicta has served as a facilitator for feminist caravans organized by EQUIPOP, an NGO focused on gender equality. These initiatives aim to raise awareness about women's rights and advocate for gender equality through community engagement and education.

Mentor and Facilitator at UNICEF Benin

Aloakinnou is a mentor and facilitator for the UPSHIFT methodology with UNICEF Benin, working within the Zogbodomey-Bohicon-Zakpota health zone. Her role involves guiding young participants in creating innovative solutions to combat gender-based violence (GBV) and fostering social entrepreneurship among youth.

UNOWAS Training Projects

As a certified trainer in civic life and political leadership, Bénédicta has collaborated with the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS). She led a project titled "Promoting the Political Participation of Women in Benin, West Africa, and the Sahel", empowering women to take on leadership roles in political spaces. Her training programs focus on equipping women with the tools to assert their voices and actively participate in governance.

Leadership Programs

Aloakinnou is an alumna of several prestigious leadership programs, including Jeunes Leaders du Bénin (Young Leaders of Benin) by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, Young African Leadership Initiative (YALI) Dakar, a program dedicated to fostering young leaders across Africa and the "Political School" organized by the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy, which emphasizes innovation and strategies to advance women's leadership and empowerment.

Through these programs, she has developed a strong foundation in leadership, advocacy, and innovation, applying these skills to uplift women and girls and advocate for their total empowerment.

An Overlooked Champion of Gender Equality

Bénédicta Aloakinnou is deeply committed to gender equality, actively engaged in various platforms—from social media to cultural events like the Festival de la Francophonie—to advocate for women's rights. As a blogger and social media activist, she tirelessly promotes the empowerment of girls and women, striving for their meaningful inclusion in decision-making processes and public policy development.