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Our activities

Children's and women's rights

ESAM aims not only to give communities a theoretical understanding of Children's and Women's Rights but also to ensure that they are respected as part of daily life. Working with partners, ESAM follows the four key principles laid down in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child to ensure the survival, development, protection and participation of all children.

ESAM's integrated activities include rural development projects, training for rural communities, defence of human rights, literacy workshops, humanitarian aid, awareness raising, the creation of local citizen's, women's and youth groups, child sponsorship, repatriation and micro-finance.

Youth development

ESAM works with young people and youth groups to run apprenticeship schemes and leadership courses. These activities give young people a chance to contribute to the development of their own communities.

We also support international work camps, which bring together young people from all over the world to share their cultures, and build long-lasting relationships.

Rural development

ESAM projects include support for livestock farmers, encouraging income-generating activities, laying rural paths, technical training, management courses and the establishment of socio-economic infrastructure.

Training

ESAM has extensive knowledge of the key legal conventions on children's and women's rights. Our human rights knowledge complements our experience of working with local communities and partners (police, armed forces, government officials, NGOs) to enable us to lead successful human rights awareness-raising workshops.

Research

Research is one of our most important activities. Our research topics include:

  • Trafficking of children between Benin and other African countries.
  • The contemporary situation of women and children.
  • Child sexual exploitation.
  • Best practices for the treatment of child domestic workers.
  • Alternative reports on economic, social and cultural rights.
  • Alternative reports on civil and political rights.

Support for local NGOs

ESAM has set up and co-ordinates the CLOSE, which aims to provide vital resources for smaller organisations and groups working with women and children.