EXECUTIVE SUMMARY __________________________________________________________________________ law adopted the provisions of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights, which provides for the equality of the sexes, as well as total and equal protection for all before the law. Furthermore, Section 26 of the constitution lays down the principle of the equality of men and women. Benin also ratified, without reservations, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) on 12 March 1992, in accordance with Section 144 of the constitution. Laws have been adopted on sexual and reproductive health, on the elimination of the practice of female genital mutilation and on the Individual and Family Code. In terms of policies, a National Policy on the Promotion of Women (PNPF) was adopted on 31 January 2001, aiming to improve the social and legal position of women, to ensure their education and training, and to improve their economic capacity. A multi-sectoral programme of action was adopted to implement this policy. 3.13 Despite these laudable efforts, there is much that remains to be done. Notable are the legal status of women, their access to justice and to resources, their presence in decision-making positions, and the assumption of responsibility for the situation of women and their integration into developmental policies and programmes. The CRM also noted that the contents of the Individual and Family Code were not widely known among the population, which seems to continue to adhere to customary practices that are unfavourable to women. 3.14 On the question of the youth, the CRM noted with satisfaction that Benin adhered to many of the international and regional instruments protecting the rights of children, like the Convention on the Rights of the Child, published on 5 September 2006. Appropriate national laws complying with the principles and the provisions of the convention had been adopted. However, the CRM noted that Beninese children still face a number of major issues, such as the nondeclaration of births, malnutrition, poor schooling, having to work from a young age, child trafficking, limited access to health services, and sexual exploitation. The CRM also noted certain gaps in Benin’s legislative and institutional mechanisms. The Code of the Child has not materialised, nor has the amendment of the Criminal Code and of the Criminal Code of Procedure been finalised. Moreover, since births are not automatically registered, not all children have recognised civil status. 3.15 Ten years after the National Sovereign Conference, Benin is seen as a haven of peace and stability in the subregion of West Africa. The CRM was pleased to note Benin’s strengths in the areas of political governance and democratic development. These strengths include a climate of peace and stability; the effectiveness of fundamental liberties and, in particular, civil and political rights; supremacy of the constitution and concern for strict respect of this fundamental law (which ensured the democratic transition of the head of state on many occasions – events that occurred smoothly and without conflict, making Benin one of the few African countries in which democratic principles have been fully realised and have found real and effective expression); respect for the electoral calendar; respect for the principle that the defence and security forces are subject to a legitimate government (which has also contributed to the entrenchment of a culture of citizenship – a crucial factor for the promotion of democracy and survival of the republic); and a climate of 9