Benin

National Assembly

Political system: Presidential system
Structure of parliament: Unicameral
IPU membership: Yes

Historical data on women

Data on women’s right to vote and to stand for election, the date at which the first woman entered parliament, and female Heads of State or Government

Women's suffrage

Date of independence: 1960
Year of first woman in parliament: 1979
Year of first woman speaker: Not applicable

Notes: No woman has occupied the function of Speaker in the country.

Women’s right to vote

Women’s right to vote: 1960
National or local: National
Restricted or universal suffrage: Universal

Notes: Prior to independence, Article 10 of the 1956 framework law gave the right to vote for the territorial assemblies to both sexes over 21. Universal suffrage was first exercised in the 1957 elections. Universal suffrage was confirmed at independence.

Women’s right to stand for election

Women's right to stand for election: No information available
Restricted or universal: No information available