EXECUTIVE SUMMARY __________________________________________________________________________ infant mortality, improvement of maternal health, and control of major diseases such as malaria and HIV/AIDS. 3.74 As regards vaccinations, it could be said that public authorities in Benin have paid special attention to this issue with the Extended Programme of Immunisation (EPI) over the past 10 years. At national level, the vaccination coverage throughout the national territory in 2003 was encouraging. Benin recently adopted the introduction of new vaccines, like hepatitis B (Hep B) and the anti-amaril vaccine (or vaccine against yellow fever) for effective inclusion in routine EPI. 3.75 Access to other basic social services. The CRM noted that despite noteworthy progress in some sectors that provide essential services such as water, energy, micro-finance, markets, ICTs and land, there are still aspects on which efforts should be concentrated in order to promote social wellbeing. Recent statistics show that about two-thirds of the rural population in Benin does not yet have access to drinking water. Meanwhile, sanitation problems in rural and urban areas are still cause for concern. Electrical energy is hardly accessible, given frequent power cuts. Micro-finance is widespread and delivers good services in the promotion of income-generating activities, particularly for poor women in rural areas. Access to markets for agricultural products is difficult and is seriously affected by a shortage of communication facilities in rural areas, especially due to a lack of good rural roads. Lastly, ICT systems are still poorly organised in the country. 3.76 Access to farmland and urban land is a key concern throughout the country, and it appears that land ownership problems slow down investment in the country. Actions to remove these obstacles have been envisaged. They mainly involve the dissemination and implementation of the Rural Land Plan (PFR); preparation and dissemination of laws regulating land security in urban areas; the establishment of decentralised land conservation centres; adoption by the National Assembly of the law on the Rural Code; and pursuance of operations to introduce the Urban Land Register. 3.77 As regards progress made in gender equality in all crucial areas, including girls’ education at all levels, the CSAR noted that women account for 52% of the population of Benin (51.5% according to the last census of 2002). Their contribution to the country’s development is significant and is widely recognised. However, socioeconomic, cultural and other stigmas continue to push them into the background – this despite the fact that, in the traditional society of Dahomey (present-day Benin), women were free to do the jobs of men: they could participate in government and serve in the army as the very famous ‘amazons’ who, with swords, valiantly defended the fatherland against colonisation. 3.78 A new Individual and Family Code was adapted in 2004 in line with the constitution, which establishes gender equality, prohibits genital mutilations and does not recognise polygamy. The code also allows for women to possess means of production. Other measures taken in favour of gender equality include the abolition of school fees for girls. However, despite attempts to 23