Benin: The Supreme Head of the Voodoos at Tdh
26 Jun 2012 Trafficking, abuse and exploitationBenin and Nigeria
The leader of the Voodoo cult in the Ouidah district paid a visit to the Terre des hommes (Tdh) offices in Benin during the month of May. Talks were held on the rights of the children admitted to the traditional convents. Participants in this meeting for the exchange of views were Tdh, UNICEF, the ELOSE Association and the Ministry for the Family and Child.
Placed in Voodoo convents, children are exposed to many risks
The Vodoun cult, more commonly called Vaudou or Voodoo, initiates its followers in traditional convents from a very young age. This confinement raises a series of problems relating to child rights. A study carried out by the Ministry for the Family, supported by UNICEF, pointed out various practices that are contrary to respect for the rights of the child.
In fact, the youngsters, predominantly of school age, usually enter a convent, against their will, for six months to three years. This period of initiation is a real obstacle to the schooling of a child.
The living conditions there are very precarious, as access to healthcare is reduced to the visit of a health agent initiated in the convent rites. The boarders have no access to modern medicine. They risk, for example, serious infections after the frequent practice of scarification. The absence of hygiene and even mosquito nets exposes the youngsters to serious illnesses, not counting the risks of sexual abuse they run owing to promiscuity in their dormitories. Obliged to change their names during the initiation, the children are also exposed to a real problem of identity.
Towards improved living conditions in the convents
To allow the Voodoo community to ensure the wellbeing of their children, Tdh got its partners together with some of the Voodoo population, including their head leader.
The meeting ended by anticipating a better future for the young followers, and improved living conditions for the children placed in convents in the Ouidah region. In fact, the Supreme Head, who chairs the ELOSE Association for the support of literacy tuition for Voodoo religious followers, used this to take the initiative to establish a school to serve as a reference in the matter of respect for child rights and for literacy tuition of disciples.
This meeting also marked a wish to adapt their beliefs to the world of today. The Supreme Head should take responsibility for the new vision defined during the talks to mobilise other community leaders towards the ideals advocated.
