SECTOR 2 2.7 All media fairly reflect the voices of both women and men. Remarkable efforts have been made by the media in general and the broadcasting sector in particular to reflect the voices of both women and men in a nondiscriminatory manner. The process for the enactment of the Individual and Family Act is an illustration. During the enactment process of this Act which has made polygamy illegal in Benin, women who were in the forefront were positively accompanied by the media. It shall be acknowledged that this Act promulgated in 2005 by order of the Constitutional Court, then headed by a woman, is hardly known and observed by the populations (Beninese are mostly polygamous in practice). Comparing the number of women in the media to their percentage within the population, it shall be acknowledged that greater efforts are to be made to achieve equity hence providing equal opportunity to both women and men. The media should therefore take into account the sociological context to avoid discriminating against women. There are several testimonies confirming that the mobilisation of women within the media and by the media is still rather difficult. The Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Foundation published in 2009 “a white paper on women” which is an eye-opener on the current status of women in Benin. The book is entitled “Women in Benin at the heart of the social change dynamics”. In its conclusion, the paper represented that despite the legal instruments formally acknowledging equity and equality between women and men, “socio-cultural practices confer on the Beninese girl, young girl, adult woman and senior woman a status and a role that eliminates all possibility of effectively, equally and fairly enjoying their rights, authority, assets and knowledge”. The interest of women in journalistic trades and in the media sector is on the increase but their motivation to work in certain areas (politics, economic affairs, environment, business management, investigative journalism) is low. Scores: Individual scores: 1 Country does not meet indicator 2 Country minimally meets aspects of the indicator. 3 Country meets many aspects of indicator but progress may be too recent to judge. 4 Country meets most aspects of indicator. 5 Country meets all aspects of the indicator and has been doing so over time. Average score: 90 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER BENIN 2009 3.0 (2007=n/a)