Benin Research Paper

Final Exam Essay: Take Home

Benin

Throughout historical and current research, Benin proves to be a country of great growth and development in aspects such as the government, political situation, social and cultural conditions, and the economy. In fact, the country is noted for being at the top of its ranks for several areas of infrastructural foundations and improvements. Despite these indications of progress, Benin continues to face many challenges. In order to better the country’s circumstances, it is important to recognize the key implications that have offered positive reinforcement, as well as the factors that play a role in the issues that press Benin’s advancement. One of the most refined facets of the country is its government.

If the problems are only being addressed through the population’s accounts, then initiatives need to stem inward. This issue can be seen through the demonstration of Benin’s human rights activism.

The U.S. State Department reports that Benin is a secular state that includes a variety of rights such as freedom of speech and press, no restrictions on internet or censorship, freedom of assembly and association, and allowance of internal movement, foreign travel, and emigration. In addition, the country prohibits religious discrimination and allows right of “religious thought, expression, and practice” along with a rise in the national budget towards funding education. All of these rights are put down in writing, however, Benin has several violations and flaws. Citizens report that freedom of speech and press is often denied and internet is unavailable in most places. In addition, women have faced societal discrimination. For example, the law states that the country prohibits rape, FGM/C, and sexual harassment. However, the enforcement is weak. This often results in forced marriage and widow rites. At this point, the government has taken action to protect against these crimes. Now it is up to Benin’s inhabitants to keep one another accountable to maintain these

In fact, Benin is a popular tourist location. The capital of Cotonou offers markets such as The Grand Marche de Dantokpa which includes a fetish sector for those practicing Voodoo. Benin is also home to museums housing the palaces of ancient kings and their valuable belongings. The country has been noted for UNESCO’s World Heritage nomination of their game parks, such as the Pendjari National Park in North Western Benin.

Benin’s government regards tourism as a method of diversifying its economy, attracting more foreign investment, and decreasing Benin’s dependence on its agricultural industry. This statement creates a false assumption about the well-being of the country’s economy. Although tourism plays a major role, it is not enough to stabilize Benin alone. Despite its notability for being one of Africa’s largest cotton producers, the country is actually one of the poorest in the world, is underdeveloped, and involves corruption. Not to mention that the World Fact Book points out that the country’s public debt is 30.1% of