Women's empowerment: from discourse to action
Women's empowerment is essential for building fairer and more sustainable societies. Yet, gender inequalities, cultural barriers, and certain traditional practices continue to hinder their full potential. Through its initiatives, Fondacio demonstrates how listening, training, and dialogue help women to recover, launch businesses, and become fully active participants in their lives and their societies.
Since the 4th World Conference on Women in Beijing (1995), the international community has recognized violence against women as a major human rights violation. The United Nations Declaration defines it as an attack based on an imbalance of power, aimed at dominating and humiliating.
Despite commitments made by many African countries—ratification of international conventions, adoption of the Maputo Protocol, and proclamation of the Decade of the African Woman (2010–2020)—violence remains a serious concern. The African Development Bank emphasizes that recent crises, whether health-related, economic, or security-related, have exacerbated women's vulnerability.
Benin: Legal progress, but persistent social challenges
Source : https://www.info-afrique.com/violence-femmes-afrique/
Benin has made notable progress. Committed to the 2030 Agenda, it has adopted ambitious laws, such as Law No. 2021-11 of December 20, 2021 on the protection of women, as well as the creation of the National Institute for Women (INF).
But the figures remind us of the scale of the challenge: according to the MICS 2021/2022 survey, 15% of Beninese women aged 15 to 49 have already experienced domestic physical violence.
And beyond the statistics, a silent reality persists: fear of judgment, shame, or mistrust prevents many women from speaking out. The 2022 Afrobarometer survey reveals that 65% of Beninese believe that a woman who reports violence risks being criticized or stigmatized.
Laws alone are no longer enough. We must move from words to action. This is precisely where Fondacio 's initiatives in Africa and Asia come in, placing listening and relationship rebuilding at the heart of their work.
A global commitment from Fondacio to the empowerment of women
For several years, Fondacio has been working to reduce gender inequalities and support women in their personal and social recovery.
In Africa and Asia, several innovative initiatives are emerging: the YounSone project led by Fondacio and developed thanks to Opportunity for Women, the Les Étincelles Centre in Ivory Coast, the MIVO Women's House and Imago for the promotion of women in Benin.
They all pursue the same objective: to promote the well-being, dignity and full participation of women in social and economic life, through listening, training and the development of their capacities.
Opportunity for Women: Valuing talent and preserving expertise
Founded by Yvonne Mathys Hereng, a long-time supporter of Fondacio, Opportunity for Women is an international organization dedicated to the economic and social empowerment of women, particularly in Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, and Afghanistan. Its approach is based on training, creating, and marketing ethical handcrafted products using traditional skills. By supporting women in weaving, sewing, and design, the organization enables them to acquire professional skills, generate a stable income, and gain confidence. Each creation tells a story of resilience and restored dignity, while also contributing to cultural and environmental preservation. Opportunity for Women embodies Fondacio's vision: to promote sustainable solidarity where every woman becomes an agent of her own transformation and an ambassador for holistic human development.
Sparks: Igniting the Flame of Autonomy
In Bouaké, the Fondacio Les Étincelles project is igniting a flame of hope in the lives of young women living in precarious situations. Through training in sewing and pastry making, they learn a trade, regain their self-confidence, and become agents of their own future. In three years, 50 women have already seen their lives transformed, driven by solidarity and faith in their talents.
The MIVO Women's House in Benin: a concrete space for recovery and confidence
MIVO Benin is a Beninese non-profit organization located on the outskirts of Cotonou. Founded on listening and compassion, it responds to the distress of many women facing domestic violence, sexual or economic abuse, or painful separations. Often left to fend for themselves, these women silently bear their profound suffering. MIVO offers them a safe space, a listening ear, and a place to rebuild their lives, regain confidence, assert their rights, and reclaim their place in society.
Since its inauguration, more than 280 women have been listened to and supported . Some have found employment, others have created their own businesses — so many lives rebuilt and transformed.
“After my husband’s death, I was rejected by my in-laws and left alone with my four children. I was depressed and destitute until I found a listening ear and support at MIVO. This center gave me back my hope and dignity.” — Pierrette, beneficiary and widow with four children
According to Elisabeth Messanvi , the center's human resources manager:
“MIVO marks a major step forward in our commitment to vulnerable women, young mothers, and widows. It is a space of hope and rebuilding.”
A comprehensive and inclusive approach
The unique aspect of Fondacio 's actions lies in their holistic vision of the individual: listening, training, supporting, and enabling them to take initiative.
Supporting women also means inviting men to become partners in their transformation. The goal is not to create opposition, but to foster connection. Empowerment is not achieved alone; it is built together. — And since 2018, Fondacio has integrated the Imago Relational Method into its tools to promote the status of women in Africa. According to this approach, the primary social bond is the couple, representing relational equality between men and women. When the couple is thriving, the woman finds her place, and the children flourish in a secure environment.
According to Émeline Toho , coordinator of MIVO:
"The center acts as a catalyst: it allows women to get back on their feet and inspires others to dare and take initiative. We need partners and networks to go further."
A society that rises with its women
Through its various projects, Fondacio affirms a deep conviction: the empowerment of women is not a favor, but a fundamental right and a lever for social transformation.
Each woman who is uplifted becomes a pillar for her family, a role model for her community, and a sign of hope for society.
Because behind every woman who is lifted up, there is a story of listening, trust and solidarity — become, you too, an architect of this recovery.
—A text by Jérôme TOZE
