Community leaders in Benin, with the support of UNFPA through the World Bank-financed SWEDD project, are championing efforts to promote girls’ education and eliminate harmful practices. Equipped with the tools and knowledge to inspire change, these male and female leaders are fostering a cultural shift that values gender equality and empowers young women.

KOUFO, BENIN — “Look around,” says Her Majesty, Queen Adjiyon Tordjiv Akabu known as Queen of the Adjas in Benin, gesturing toward the busy courtyard of her rural palace, where dozens of community members sit in rows of chairs in the shade of a blue tarp. A group of young people are putting on a play. The storyline? A young man, notorious for chasing girls, finds himself rebuffed by empowered women who have been educated on their rights through programmes supported by the SWEDD project put in place with the assistance of UNFPA.

“This is how we make change—through dialogue, through understanding,” she says, her voice matter-of-factly and full of purpose. Despite the serious topic, the skit is cleverly conveyed through comedy and the crowd soon erupts in laughter and clapping. 

The Queen of the Adjas, a petite but commanding figure with cropped hair and a warm but resolute demeanour, is not your typical royal. Trained as a lawyer, she has turned her throne into a platform for advocacy, fighting for the rights of women and girls in a region where tradition often leaves them voiceless. She is the President of the Network of Women Religious and Traditional Leaders of Benin (NWRTLB).  “As a woman, as a girl, and later as a wife, I have lived through experiences that I would never want others to endure,” she shares. “That is what drives me.”

A revolutionary reign

Her Majesty was just 30 when she was crowned the supreme leader of the Adjas, an unprecedented event in a community where women have long been excluded from leadership roles. “It was a shock,” she recalls. “Women didn’t have a voice. They didn’t inherit property. My ascension challenged all of that. I realized I had an opportunity to make a positive impact on my community, to show that women can lead just as effectively as men, if not more so.”

Programmes initiated under her leadership, often in partnership with SWEDD and UNFPA, have addressed issues ranging from gender-based violence (GBV) to child marriage. By involving religious and community leaders in discussions about women’s empowerment and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), she has begun to dismantle deeply rooted cultural barriers.

“If we want to move forward, we must bring everyone along,” she explains. “The men, the elders, the leaders—their buy-in is crucial.”

Zero tolerance for violence

The Queen is unwavering when it comes to addressing gender-based violence. “When cases of violence are proven, we no longer accept conciliation,” she asserts. “It is sanctions. Why? To discourage others.” This firm stance has sent a clear message throughout her community: impunity is no longer tolerated.

Under her leadership, concrete actions have been taken. “We’ve freed children from convents, brought back girls who had been subjected to harmful rituals, and helped adolescents return to their studies and apprenticeships,” she recounts. One particularly notable achievement was the imprisonment of teachers who had harassed schoolgirls. “These actions demonstrate our determination and our firm commitment to fighting GBV. And it’s making an impact here,” she says.

This proactive approach has not only created safer spaces for women and girls but also sparked a cultural shift. The community now understands that violence will lead to consequences, fostering an environment where survivors feel supported, and perpetrators are held accountable.

Changing lives, one dialogue at a time

The Queen’s palace has become a hub for community engagement. Theater performances, like today’s, are just one tool she uses to spark conversations. Beyond the performances, the Queen organizes workshops and dialogues that bring together stakeholders across the social spectrum. “When we discuss issues like child marriage or the economic autonomy of women, we don’t preach. We ask questions, we listen, and we let them come to their own conclusions,” she says.

Her efforts have led to measurable change. In her community, the number of girls completing secondary education has risen, and cases of GBV are increasingly reported and addressed. Traditional leaders who once resisted her initiatives now champion them. “We’ve seen young girls freed from harmful traditions and men standing as allies. That’s the impact of dialogue,” she says.

Resistance, however, is far from a thing of the past. “Many men fear that if women become financially independent, they will abandon their families,” says her Majesty. “But we show them examples of how empowering women strengthens entire households.”

One of her key strategies has been to focus on youth. “The older generation is often set in their ways, but young people are open to new ideas,” she says. Her programmess emphasize the role of positive masculinity, encouraging young men to view themselves as partners in gender equality.

The role of law and tradition

As a lawyer, Queen Adjiyon understands the importance of legal frameworks. “The laws in Benin are increasingly supportive of women’s rights,” she notes, citing recent legislation aimed at curbing GBV. But laws alone are not enough. “We must ensure they are understood and implemented at the community level. That’s why we involve traditional leaders—to bridge the gap between modern laws and cultural practices.”

She works to ensure that people are aware of existing laws designed to protect their rights, while respecting the spiritual heritage of her community. “It’s about balance,” she says. “Preserving culture while ensuring it evolves to respect the rights of everyone.”

Her efforts have extended to reforming long-standing traditions. Rituals that once kept widows in mourning for nine months have been reduced to three months, allowing women to return to their lives more quickly. Girls once confined to voodoo rituals are now given time to attend school. In Benin, voodoo is deeply woven into cultural and spiritual practices, but it can also pose challenges, especially when rituals conflict with modern laws and human rights.  Queen Adjiyon addresses these complexities, navigating the intersection of tradition and legality.