For over 25 years, Delphine Bodjrenou, Gender Coordinator at OBEPAB, has been driving the participation of women in Benin’s organic cotton sector. This International Women’s Day, we are celebrating Delphine’s incredible work to empower women across Benin’s organic farming fields.

Delphine Bodjrenou, Gender Coordinator at OBEPAB. Image photographed by Miléquêm Diarassouba at Aid by Trade Foundation.

For many women in Benin, the patriarchal structure has made it very difficult for them to own land or control their own agriculture. Without independence, their voices were limited both at home and in the broader farming community. 

Cotton farming has been predominately dominated by men. Women played crucial roles in the fields, but when it came to recognition, finances, and decision-making, they were often left in the background. “They worked just as hard,” Delphine explains, “but the income went straight to the men. Women couldn’t make financial decisions for their own households or crops. We saw them, they were important links, but they were not very visible. My role is to ensure that women are not teased or bullied in the production of organic cotton. Just like men, they have the right to have the same information, the same training, and the right to be the head of their farm.” 

Delphine (centre) sitting on harvested cotton with a group of women. Image courtesy of PAN UK.

Over time Delphine’s work has empowered women and changed the perception of female participation in organic cotton farming, where women are now stepping into leadership roles and reclaiming their authority.  

The Farmer field schools have played a transformative role in creating this change. “Education in general is a tool for transforming the individual. It’s not just about learning organic farming techniques,” says Delphine. “It’s about shifting mindsets. Women now see themselves as knowledgeable farmers who deserve recognition.” 

For many, this shift has meant working towards financial independence. “Now, the money from cotton sales goes directly to them,” Delphine adds, “When a woman has her own money, she becomes the manager of her resources. It’s hard work, but it’s exciting!” 

Alougba, a female farmer supported by OBEPAB and PAN UK, tending to her crops. Image courtesy of Cotton Diaries, photographed by Gbèmèho Elisé Fanou.

While great progress has been made, there are have been challenges facing the female farming community. Initially women were hesitant to join the project and convert their crops to organic. “It was difficult in the beginning, we had to show women the advantages of growing organic products, especially organic cotton. We would share the impacts that pesticides have on human health, animal health, environmental health and the positive impact of converting their crops, such as the economic advantage. Over time more women saw the positive shift and now it is a ripple effect of women joining the programme.”

Another challenge women face is the difficulty of accessing high-quality land due to cultural norms that favor men as landowners and the acceptance of women working in agriculture. To address this, OBEPAB has implemented an innovative approach: husband schools. These sessions bring men together to discuss the benefits of women’s active participation in farming.  

“We show them that when women succeed, the whole family prospers,” Delphine explains. “We had to work with men to talk about women. We hold awareness raising classes with men to show that a fulfilled woman equates to a whole family. Over time, we’ve seen incredible changes. Some husbands now actively support their wives, even encouraging them to run for cooperative leadership positions. Very recently, I had completed work in an area where the men recognised that women manage their own farming group better than themselves!”  

A cotton bud, with beneficial pests.

The success stories are growing. Women are now leading farming cooperatives and diversifying their incomes through seed sales and wider crop production. “Women are proving that organic farming isn’t just about sustainability, it’s about economic empowerment,” Delphine says. “They’re securing their futures, taking back control of their lives and autonomy. There are women who own motorcycles for independent travel. There are women who can now pay for their children’s schooling and future.”  

“I am quite proud of this work, it’s not systematic, but it’s a gradual emancipation which we must continue. In time, we want to expand the project to cover more regions and areas so that more women can get involved. I thank Traid and their community for their continued support. I ask you not to get tired of supporting women in Africa, not to be discouraged from supporting women because women are the core of the development of all African communities and in the cotton system.” 

The fields of Benin are changing. Now 30% of the participating farmers supported by this project are women, which is three times the number in conventional cotton farming in the region. 

To date, thanks to everyone who shops at and donates at Traid, we have committed £336,332 to this project. You can read more about our work to expand Benin’s organic cotton sector and the important work by OBEPAB and PAN UK here.