Image: President Patrice Talon
Meeting in the Council of Ministers on 10 November 2021, the government adopted several decrees, including some relating to the application of the law on sexual and reproductive health in Benin. It was noted that the adoption and promulgation of Law No. 2003-04 of 3 March 2003 relating to sexual and reproductive health was not followed by implementing texts, which meant they were not implemented. The Council of Ministers tried to avoid this happening again by adopting during the Council meeting an implementing decree.
The first decree sets out the conditions for the promotion of contraceptive products and methods, the procedures for authorising the manufacture, import, distribution and delivery of these products, as well as the penalties applicable to offenders.
The second decree sets the conditions for the creation, approval, operation and control of sexual and reproductive health services, as well as the applicable sanctions regime.
It should be noted that on 21 October, the deputies voted on Law No. 2021-12, amending and supplementing Law 2003-04 of 3 March 2003 relating to sexual health and reproduction. The amended law legalises abortion and indicates the conditions under which a woman in material or psychological distress can apply to terminate the pregnancy.
SOURCE: BeninWebTV, by Edouard Djogbénou, 10 November 2021 (Article original en français)