CHAPTER THREE: DEMOCRACY AND POLITICAL GOVERNANCE __________________________________________________________________________ being very important for addressing the imbalance between men and women in politics – there are also economic, social and cultural obstacles that must be removed. Box 3.9: Reasons for the low representation of women on principal decision-making bodies The documentary review and the persons interviewed by CRM experts have helped to identify the causes of the low representation of women on the principal decision-making bodies. These factors include: the influence of tradition (a woman cannot be a chief), the resistance and distrust of men about the involvement of their spouses in politics, and violence against women. There are other obstacles such as: illiteracy, which is widespread among women; the low percentage of girls in schools (see the chapter on socioeconomic governance); their heavy workloads, and unequal distributions of paid and unpaid work between men and women; the lack of structures, like childcare centres, to take care of them from childhood; and the absence of the means and systems that ease domestic duties. Moreover, women seem unwilling to fight for their participation in the political administration of the country. They also lack confidence in themselves and lack leadership training in certain regions of the country. In addition to these factors, “the conduct of political life nowadays requires substantial resources, which women in general do not have. Out of 121 political parties registered in 2002 in Benin, only two parties were led by a woman. More than 60% of members of The Renaissance Party of Benin led by a woman are women. Paradoxically, its National 15 Management Committee has only 8 women out of a total of 30 members” . 283. Violence against women also causes concern. This phenomenon has been raised by stakeholders and by studies and research done on the issue. The report by Benin on the Development Index and Gender Inequalities in Africa (IDISA), developed by the ECA, reveals that Beninese women are subjected to numerous acts of violence, both within the family and in society in general. The reasons given to justify this violence vary. They link to basic education in the context of the family. The only duties women have are to be quiet, devoted, docile, submissive, and ready to carry out the wishes and decisions of men. Financial autonomy is another issue. Poverty affects women mainly and makes them financially dependent on men. With regard to domestic violence, women who fear to be separated from their children prefer to remain and suffer the violence. This violence, which is an infringement of the rights of women, also has serious physical and psychological consequences. It is also not dealt with appropriately by the government. In fact, despite the adoption of certain measures – such as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, which is celebrated on 1 December in Benin; the creation of a favourable framework for the development of structures to protect and care for the victims of domestic violence; the establishment of an SOS green number for battered women, an initiative of the Ministry of Justice; 15 WiLDAF-Benin. May 2005. Benin and the UN Convention of November 1979 on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. Cotonou. 113