Worldwide Guide to Women in Leadership
 Female Ministers of La République du Bénin (Dahomy until 1975) (Female suffrage 1946/56) 1892 under French Administration, 1958 Independent republic within the French Community, independent 1960

Also see Benin Heads

1989 Minister of Public Health Rafiatou Karimou
2003-06 Minister of Primary and Secondary Education 
President of the Parliament Group of Parti de Nation et Developpement 1999-2003. (b. 1946-)  

1990-93 Minister of Labour and Social Affairs Veronique Ahayo Ahogo
Director of Social Affairs 1975-90 and of ENAS 1977-90, Ambassador to Canada 1994-96.

1992-96 Minister of Public Health Veronique Lawson

1995 Minister of Labour, Employment and Social Affairs Kapuoe Koumourade Osseni

1995 Minister of Commerce Sikirath Kissira Aguemon
1995-96 Minister of Trade and Tourism

1995-96 Minister of Justice and Legislation, Keeper of the Seals Grâce d'Almeida Adamon

1995-96 Minister of Culture and Communication Félicienne Sophie Guinikoukou

1996-2001 Minister of Public Health Mariana d’Almeida-Massougbodji

1998-2000 Minister of Commerce, Handicrafts and Tourism Marie-Elyse Akovavi Gbedo
Presidential Candidate 2001 and 2006.

1998 Minister of Education and Scientific Research Conceptia Ouinsou
President of the Constitutional Court, becoming the 3rd in the State-hierarchy 1998-2008.

1998-200 Minister of Social Welfare and Women’s Condition Ramatou Baba-Moussa

Ca. 1998-2005 Director of the Cabinet of the Presidency Celestine Zannou Wetohossou
Presidential Candidate in 2006.

2001-03 Minister of Family, Social Welfare and the Solidarity Claire Ayémona  née Hougan

2001-05 Minister of Public Health Yvette-Céline Seignon née Kandissounon  

2003-05 Minister of Technical Education and Vocational Training Léa Hounkpè
 2005-06 Minister of Social Welfare and the Solidarity

2003-05 Minister of Social Protection and the Solidarity Massiatou Latoundji
Her name is also spelled Massiyathou Latoundji.

2005-06 Minister of Public Works and Transport Marie Jeanne Omichessan

2005-06 Minister of Public Health Dr. Dorothée Akoko Gazard

2006-07 Minister of Foreign Affairs Mariam Aladji Boni épouse Diallo
Ambassador and General Secretary of the Ministry until her appointment.

2006-07 Minister of Health Flore Gangbo

2006 Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Colette Houéto

2006-07 Minister of the Family, Women and Children Guécadou Bawa Yorou épouse Orou Guidou
Also known as Yarou Djèkadou.

2006- Minister-Delegate by the Minister of Development, Economy and Finances, charged with the Micro-Finance and Promotion of Small and Middle-Sized Entreprises Sakinatou Abdou Alfa Orou épouse Sidi

2006-07 Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Evelyne Sossouhounto

2007-08 Minister of Primary Education, Alphabetisation and the National Languages Christine Ouinsavi
2008- Minister of Commerce

2007-08 Minister of Secondary Educaton, Professional and Technical Education Bernadette Sohoudji Agbossou

2007-08 Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Vicentia Bocco

2007-08 Minister of Family and Children Gnimbere Dansou

2007-08 Minister of Environment and Protection of the Nature Juliette Koudenoukpo Biaou

2008- Minister of Microfinance and Employment of Young Women Rékyath Madougou

2008- Minister of Family and Social Solidarity Mamatou Marie Joe Meba Bio épouse Djossou

2008- Minister of Tourism and Handicrafts Monsieur Mamata Bako épouse Djouga
In the new government the ratio of women dropped from 23 till 13% and the two only female Prefects were replaced by men).

 

 Last update 08.11.08