Benin

Demographics

Estimated Total Population:

11.49 million

World Bank, 2018

Estimated SGM Population:

N/A

N/A

Estimated Total SGM Adult Population:

N/A

N/A

Estimated % of SGM Adults (18+):

N/A

N/A

Sources are ambiguous about the legality of same-sex activity in Benin; however many sources ascertain that homosexuality is generally not accepted and that policing, vigilantism action, widespread persecution and social discrimination against LGBTQ are common in this region(Itaborahy & Zhu, 2013).The dearth in literature regarding SGM health is perhaps explained by the preference for SGM populations to be discrete about their orientations due to strong social taboos, ultimately resulting in the LGBT community in Benin "remaining largely disorganized and hidden"(Country Reports, 2014).

Benin's Laws and Policies from ILGA World Report (2019)

RECOGNITION
Marriage for Same-Sex Couples
No
Civil Unions
No
Joint Adoption
No
Second Parent Adoption
No
PROTECTION
Employment Nondiscrimination Laws
No
Broad Protections
No
Criminalization of Violence
No
Ban of Conversion Therapy
No
CRIMINALIZATION
Consensual Same-Sex Acts are Legal?
Yes
Gender
Does Not Apply
Max Penalty (Yrs in Prison)
Does Not Apply

Selected Published Studies, Reports, and Other Documents

Hessou, S., Ahanhanzo, Y.G., Kpozèhouen, A., Yadouleton, T., Sodoloufo, O., Capo-chichi, V., Doussoh, B., Gnahoui-David, B., Biaou, A., & Azandjèmé, C. (2019). Trans-identity in Benin: Fact or Fiction? Social Response and Consequences. Universal journal of public health, 7, 179-185.http://www.hrpub.org/download/20190730/UJPH4-17613380.pdf

Mintogbe, M. , Sanni, M. , Ahoussinou, N. , Sodolouffo, O. , Adje, E. and Barano, D. (2019) Unequal Access to HIV Prevention Services by Gender in Benin.Open Journal of Social Sciences,7, 51-65. doi:10.4236/jss.2019.76004.

Rodenbough P, Philip. “Being LGBT in West Africa: A Virtual Student Foreign Service Project”. USAID. 2014 June; 2225.https://www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/1208588/1226_1463734365_the-being-lgbt-in-west-africa-project-final-report.pdf

Hessou, S., Dougnon, V., Glele-Ahanhanzo, Y., Imorou, B., Ahoussinou, C., Legba, B., Zannou, D. M., & Baba-Moussa, L. (2017). A Behavioral and Serological Survey on HIV Prevalence Among Prisoners in Benin. Journal of public health in Africa, 8(1), 678. https://doi.org/10.4081/jphia.2017.678