“Women, make your leadership a bulwark against violence”, Melie Atacolodjou mobilizes for peaceful elections in Benin
This Thursday, June 26, 2025, in the conference room of the Ouando municipal swimming pool in Porto-Novo, Mélie B. Sena Atacolodjou gathered political leaders, local authorities, security forces, and women’s organizations to strengthen female leadership in favor of peace during the election period.
SUMMARY
“Peace is not decreed, it is built,” recalled Mélie B. Sena Atacolodjou, initiator of the micro-project supported by the Program for Gender Equality (PGE). In her opening speech, she insisted on the necessity to involve women in the consolidation of peace, especially during electoral periods.
“When peace is threatened, it is the women who soothe tensions, protect the children, and restore the social fabric,” she highlighted. For Mélie B. Sena Atacolodjou, female leadership is not an option, but a necessity. “Leadership for us is not a luxury, it’s a lever of stability, a force for change,” she defended, before vehemently launching: “Women, make your leadership a bulwark against violence.”
The activist thanked the technical and financial partners, notably the Rifonga-WANEP-FENEP consortium and the Swiss Cooperation for their commitment to promoting gender equality and peace.
“From now on, let’s sow peace together for 2026,” she urged.
Women, essential actors for peace
In his speech, Police Commissioner Karim Zakari, representing the departmental director of the republican police, praised the importance of the initiative. “Without peace, no country can develop,” he declared.
He also highlighted the crucial contribution of women in maintaining peace by sharing his experience in the commune of Tchaourou between 2019 and 2021. “I know how many times women have helped me appease the youth,” he confessed. He also stressed the effectiveness of women’s associations in resolving community crises.
“The police will always stand by those who work for peace,” assured Commissioner Zakari, before congratulating the organizers for their commitment.
In her plea, Mélie Atacolodjou made a direct appeal to the institutions involved in the organization of the 2026 elections, to political leaders, and to the Beninese population. “Let’s choose calm. Let us say no to violence and tensions,” she pleaded with conviction. She urged political leaders to adopt exemplary behavior. “Your words count. Your actions count. Your silences too. Set the example. Be peacemakers,” she insisted.
The political communicator also called on the youth not to let anyone use them to destroy what they love. “Monitor with justice. Protect without brutality. Act for all.,” she told the security forces.
For Mélie Atacolodjou, elections pass, but the nation remains. “In 2026, whatever the results, we must continue to live together,” she stressed. Because, according to her, the real victory is that of national cohesion.
A structuring program for female leadership
Present at the meeting, Eliane Monote, representative of the Program for Gender Equality (PGE), detailed the project’s objectives. “The PGE is a program of the Beninese government co-financed by the Swiss Cooperation and the Rifonga-WANEP-FENEP consortium,” she explained. This program trains and supports 502 female leaders throughout Benin to strengthen their political leadership and civic participation.
“The project aims to equip women so they can occupy decision-making spaces and actively contribute to peaceful elections”, she confided. According to Eliane Monote, the beneficiary women are accompanied by political coaches, media coaches, and ethics coaches to help them develop a responsible and effective posture in the public sphere.
She also stressed the importance of financially supporting initiatives carried out by women. “Support, however modest it may be, can have a multiplying effect,” she noted.
A collective commitment to peace
In closing the event, Mélie B. Sena Atacolodjou commended the mobilization of all stakeholders: female leaders, administrative authorities, security forces, youth organizations, and political actors. “What we have just shared are heartfelt cries and sincere commitments,” she declared.
She recalled the urgency to act to ensure peace during the upcoming electoral deadlines and expressed the hope that the commitments made will translate into concrete actions. “Female leadership is a pillar of peace and justice,” she concluded, quoting Kofi Annan, “there is no tool for development more effective than the empowerment of women.”
Comments