appointed for another work acceptable. If this is not possible, the contract must be
terminated with compensation as in the event of a normal termination of the contract".
324
Other ministries also help the Ministry of Labour in the combat against child labour.
325
Indeed, the response of the Government is characterised by a universal and concerted
action including referencing in order to provide holistic care for children. The other
main ministries helping in the combat against child labour are the Ministry of Family
and the Ministry of the Interior. In order to promote a coordinated ministerial action, a
national steeringiv[9] committee has been set up for the combat against child labour.
326
The action of the Government for child protection against drugs and psychotropic
substances is mainly characterised by awareness programs. In this sense, several
awareness workshops have been organised. Training workshops have been
organised as well for relevant actors.
The area deemed dangerous in Cotonou (Zohoungo district) for the consumption of
drugs by children in a group with adults has been prepared and transformed in an
amusement park called "blue zone"
The MICS study showed than children under 15, drink alcohol and that the
percentage of people aged from 15 to 49 years who drank at least one alcoholic drink
before 15 is 25.5% for women and 43.7% for men.
iii.
o
Abuse and torture:
Sexual exploitation:
327
A survey on child sexual exploitation in Cotonou, Porto-Novo, Bohicon, Abomey,
and Parakou and surroundings has been carried out by the UNICEF and the
MFFE/UNICEF in June 2002.
328
The survey showed that the phenomenon affects mainly girls under 14 living in
urban environment, children living in host family, children living in single -parent
family and children labourers (street peddlers, apprentices, waitresses in
bars/hotels/restaurants...)
329
In a descending order, the scale of the phenomenon is reflected more seriously in the
Department of Zou (Abomey, Bohicon and Za-kpota), in the department of the Oueme
(Porto-Novo and surroundings) and in the department of Borgou (especially in the
rural area and in N’Dali), in the department of the Littoral and in the department of the
Atlantic.
330
The worst forms of violence, abuse and sexual exploitation listed in Cotonou, PortoNovo and Parakou are respectively:
Forced and early weddings under their various forms;
Sexual abuse at school;
Sexual abuse in the neighbourhood of the families (friends, employees) ;
Sexual abuse in family;