Marie-Elise Akouavi Gbèdo (born 29 December 1954) is a Beninese politician who has run for president four times. She served as Minister of Justice of Benin from 2012 to 2013.
Marie-Elise Gbèdo was born on 29 December 1954 in Mankono, in today's Ivory Coast.[1] She was educated in Benin at the primary and secondary level, then went to France to continue her studies at the Sorbonne University. She earned a license and a master's degree in law, and in 1983 she obtained a Master in Business Law. The certificate of fitness as a lawyer (CAPA) was granted to her the following year. She joined the Paris Bar in 1985 and worked for several law firms.[1][2] In 1987, on her return to Benin, Gbedo became the fifth woman to be called to the bar in her country. The lawyer opened her own office two years later.[1][3] She championed the rights of women and chaired the Association of Women Lawyers of Benin (AFJB).[2] Gbedo encouraged women to pursue university studied and lamented the lack of female administrators in Benin.[1]
In March 1998, she was shot five times after leaving her office by six gunmen. Her seven-year-old son was hit by a bullet as well. Four of the attackers were sentenced to 15 years of hard labor, with one being acquitted.[4]
Political career
In May 1998 she was appointed Minister of Commerce, Crafts, and Tourism by President Mathieu Kérékou. She was dismissed from that position in June 1999 after attempting to resolve a scandal pertaining to a business deal between the nationalized petroleum company SONACOP and a private firm. Afterward, she became a vocal critic of the government, making her determined to end business as usual. She frequently appeared on national television and radio criticizing the Kerekou administration.[5]
In February 2001, she announced her candidacy for the March 2001 presidential election, becoming the country's first female presidential candidate and the first in West Africa.[6] In doing so, Gbèdo, a mother of two, faced some conservative attitudes. In particular, she received disapproval because she was divorced. Reportedly she received more disapproval from women than men, although she had the backing of some women's groups such as Dignite Feminine. Running as an independent, she adopted the slogan "Hwenusu" ( "The time has come" in the Fon language).[5] She said and said it's time that women engage in politics and exercise power. Her candidacy also focused on the fight against corruption.[2][7] In the election, she took 11th place with 0.36% of the vote.[8]
In November 2005, she wrote the book "Le destin du roseau" (The Reed of Destiny), containing autobiographical interviews and essays on her vision of Benin's development and that of Africa in general.[1] Running again in the March 2006 presidential election, Gbedo was followed by filmmaker Sanvi Panou, who created a documentary film called The Amazon candidate. Another woman, Celestine Zanou, was among the 26 candidates.[7] Gbedo took 16th place with 0.33% of the vote.[8]
She ran for president in the March 2011 presidential election. After Thomas Boni Yayi was declared victorious, she opted to back him despite opposition figures challenging the results.[2] As a result, he named her Minister of Justice in 2012.[9] Gbèdo served until 2013 and was replaced by a woman, Reckya Madougou.[10] She unsuccessfully contested the March 2016 presidential election.[11] Her platform was based on providing reliable electricity and combating youth unemployment.[12]
Awards
The title of Commander of the National Order of Benin was awarded to Marie-Elise Gbèdo in 2000. She is also a Knight of the National Order of the Legion of Honor.[2][9]
References
^ abcde"Marie Elise-Gbédo se présente sous le signe de la parité". Agence panafricaine de presse (in French). 26 January 2006. Retrieved 21 October 2016.
^ abcdeEmmanuel Kwaku Akyeampong; Henry Louis Gates (2012). Dictionary of African Biography. Vol. 6. Oxford University Press. pp. 437–438. ISBN9780195382075.
^Ulrich Vital Ahotondji (5 February 2011). . Inter Press Service (in French). Archived from the original on 27 May 2014. Retrieved 21 October 2016.
^"Présidentielle au Benin : Marie-Elise Gbèdo, une femme dans la mêlée". Jeune Afrique (in French). 26 February 2016. Retrieved 21 October 2016.
^ abBoko, Michee (22 February 2001). "First female presidential candidate in Benin". IPS (afrol News). Retrieved 21 October 2016.
^Mathurin C. Houngnikpo; Samuel Decalo (2013). Historical Dictionary of Benin. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 183. ISBN9780810871717.
^ abMichée Boko (24 February 2006). . Inter Press Service (in French). Archived from the original on 27 May 2014. Retrieved 21 October 2016.
^ ab"Elections in Benin". African Elections Database. Retrieved 21 October 2016.
^ ab. Ministère de la Justice, de la Législation et des Droits de l'Homme (in French). Archived from the original on 27 May 2014. Retrieved 21 October 2016.
^Gretchen Bauer; Josephine Dawuni (2015). Gender and the Judiciary in Africa: From Obscurity to Parity?. Routledge. ISBN978-1317516484.
^Par Yao Hervé Kingbêwé (3 November 2013). "Présidentielle 2016 : Le rêve de Marie-Elise Gbèdo enfin concrétisé". La Nouvelle Tribune (in French). Retrieved 21 October 2016.
^"Benin Election: Female candidate makes fourth attempt at presidency". Africa News. 4 March 2016. Retrieved 21 October 2016.
External links
Personal website
January 20, 2023
marie, elise, gbèdo, marie, elise, akouavi, gbèdo, born, december, 1954, beninese, politician, president, four, times, served, minister, justice, benin, from, 2012, 2013, marie, elise, akouavi, gbèdominister, justice, beninin, office, 2012, 2013minister, comme. Marie Elise Akouavi Gbedo born 29 December 1954 is a Beninese politician who has run for president four times She served as Minister of Justice of Benin from 2012 to 2013 Marie Elise Akouavi GbedoMinister of Justice of BeninIn office 2012 2013Minister of Commerce of BeninIn office May 1998 June 1999Personal detailsBorn29 December 1954Mankono French West AfricaPolitical partyIndependentAlma materSorbonne UniversityProfessionLawyer writer Contents 1 Biography 1 1 Early life and legal career 1 2 Political career 2 Awards 3 References 4 External linksBiography EditEarly life and legal career Edit Marie Elise Gbedo was born on 29 December 1954 in Mankono in today s Ivory Coast 1 She was educated in Benin at the primary and secondary level then went to France to continue her studies at the Sorbonne University She earned a license and a master s degree in law and in 1983 she obtained a Master in Business Law The certificate of fitness as a lawyer CAPA was granted to her the following year She joined the Paris Bar in 1985 and worked for several law firms 1 2 In 1987 on her return to Benin Gbedo became the fifth woman to be called to the bar in her country The lawyer opened her own office two years later 1 3 She championed the rights of women and chaired the Association of Women Lawyers of Benin AFJB 2 Gbedo encouraged women to pursue university studied and lamented the lack of female administrators in Benin 1 In March 1998 she was shot five times after leaving her office by six gunmen Her seven year old son was hit by a bullet as well Four of the attackers were sentenced to 15 years of hard labor with one being acquitted 4 Political career Edit In May 1998 she was appointed Minister of Commerce Crafts and Tourism by President Mathieu Kerekou She was dismissed from that position in June 1999 after attempting to resolve a scandal pertaining to a business deal between the nationalized petroleum company SONACOP and a private firm Afterward she became a vocal critic of the government making her determined to end business as usual She frequently appeared on national television and radio criticizing the Kerekou administration 5 In February 2001 she announced her candidacy for the March 2001 presidential election becoming the country s first female presidential candidate and the first in West Africa 6 In doing so Gbedo a mother of two faced some conservative attitudes In particular she received disapproval because she was divorced Reportedly she received more disapproval from women than men although she had the backing of some women s groups such as Dignite Feminine Running as an independent she adopted the slogan Hwenusu The time has come in the Fon language 5 She said and said it s time that women engage in politics and exercise power Her candidacy also focused on the fight against corruption 2 7 In the election she took 11th place with 0 36 of the vote 8 In November 2005 she wrote the book Le destin du roseau The Reed of Destiny containing autobiographical interviews and essays on her vision of Benin s development and that of Africa in general 1 Running again in the March 2006 presidential election Gbedo was followed by filmmaker Sanvi Panou who created a documentary film called The Amazon candidate Another woman Celestine Zanou was among the 26 candidates 7 Gbedo took 16th place with 0 33 of the vote 8 She ran for president in the March 2011 presidential election After Thomas Boni Yayi was declared victorious she opted to back him despite opposition figures challenging the results 2 As a result he named her Minister of Justice in 2012 9 Gbedo served until 2013 and was replaced by a woman Reckya Madougou 10 She unsuccessfully contested the March 2016 presidential election 11 Her platform was based on providing reliable electricity and combating youth unemployment 12 Awards EditThe title of Commander of the National Order of Benin was awarded to Marie Elise Gbedo in 2000 She is also a Knight of the National Order of the Legion of Honor 2 9 References Edit a b c d e Marie Elise Gbedo se presente sous le signe de la parite Agence panafricaine de presse in French 26 January 2006 Retrieved 21 October 2016 a b c d e Emmanuel Kwaku Akyeampong Henry Louis Gates 2012 Dictionary of African Biography Vol 6 Oxford University Press pp 437 438 ISBN 9780195382075 Ulrich Vital Ahotondji 5 February 2011 Marie Elise Gbedo symbole de perseverance Inter Press Service in French Archived from the original on 27 May 2014 Retrieved 21 October 2016 Presidentielle au Benin Marie Elise Gbedo une femme dans la melee Jeune Afrique in French 26 February 2016 Retrieved 21 October 2016 a b Boko Michee 22 February 2001 First female presidential candidate in Benin IPS afrol News Retrieved 21 October 2016 Mathurin C Houngnikpo Samuel Decalo 2013 Historical Dictionary of Benin Rowman amp Littlefield p 183 ISBN 9780810871717 a b Michee Boko 24 February 2006 Deux amazones a la conquete du pouvoir d Etat Inter Press Service in French Archived from the original on 27 May 2014 Retrieved 21 October 2016 a b Elections in Benin African Elections Database Retrieved 21 October 2016 a b Biographie d Akuavi Marie Elise Christiana Gbedo Ministere de la Justice de la Legislation et des Droits de l Homme in French Archived from the original on 27 May 2014 Retrieved 21 October 2016 Gretchen Bauer Josephine Dawuni 2015 Gender and the Judiciary in Africa From Obscurity to Parity Routledge ISBN 978 1317516484 Par Yao Herve Kingbewe 3 November 2013 Presidentielle 2016 Le reve de Marie Elise Gbedo enfin concretise La Nouvelle Tribune in French Retrieved 21 October 2016 Benin Election Female candidate makes fourth attempt at presidency Africa News 4 March 2016 Retrieved 21 October 2016 External links EditPersonal website Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Marie Elise Gbedo amp oldid 1081388305, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
