A determined woman breaking barriers in Benin

In the Ouissi community, women’s roles had long been limited to domestic tasks and secondary roles in community decision-making. But thanks to The Hunger Project-Benin, a silent revolution occurred, redefining women’s roles in this community and marking a decisive turning point for gender equality. At the heart of this change is Faustine Ologou, a woman who, with courage and determination, was able to overturn established norms. Initially mobilized to organize women’s groups through savings and credit programs, she gradually became an indispensable leader in her community.

With the support of THP-Benin, Faustine and many other women received various training sessions and guidance on leadership and governance, equipping them with tools to assert themselves in areas previously reserved for men. One of the major impacts of this transformation was the growing recognition of women’s place in decision-making bodies, notably with Faustine being elected president of the Ouissi epicentre.

But this path was not without obstacles. Faced with jealousy and male resistance, she had to fight to prove that female leadership is a strength, not a threat. Encouraged by THP-Benin, she even ran for an elected position in her village, facing fierce opposition that tried to hinder her rise to influence. Although she became a target of political maneuvers, mindsets evolved, and today even her detractors acknowledge her impact and call for her return to politics.

Thanks to her determination and ever-growing commitment to sustainable development, Faustine succeeded in mobilizing new partners to continue the nutrition and child weighing activities for children under five in partner villages after THP-Benin withdrew. They also support awareness and screening for breast and cervical cancer. Always striving for the well-being of her community, she managed to secure funding from a donor for the construction of an orphanage. However, construction work, which began, could not be completed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

And since nothing stops Faustine, she now wants to share her experiences gained over the years with THP-Benin with other communities. Despite her responsibilities at the head of the Ouissi epicentre, she now spends most of her time supporting the management of a nearby kindergarten.

Today, Ouissi is a model of change, where women are no longer just shadow actors but leaders shaping the future of their community. Faustine’s story and that of her village show that when you invest in women, an entire community transforms.