In the customs sector, a diverse and inclusive work environment not only relates to fairness and justice but directly impacts operational efficiency and innovation. Consider this: when a customs organization fully harnesses the expertise of professionals across genders and backgrounds, does it gain broader perspectives and more flexible solutions for complex cross-border trade challenges?
On September 23-24, 2024, the World Customs Organization (WCO) and Benin Customs jointly conducted a follow-up mission in Cotonou, Benin, to advance implementation of Benin's Gender Equality and Diversity (GEDC) policy. The centerpiece of this mission was an awareness workshop for Benin Customs personnel.
Project Background and Objectives
The West Africa Security Project (WASP), a collaboration between WCO and Germany's Central Customs Administration, represents a significant initiative to enhance security capabilities among West African customs administrations. Its Gender Equality and Diversity (GED) component specifically focuses on building more inclusive and equitable work environments within customs systems, with three fundamental objectives:
- Promoting equal treatment and opportunities: Ensuring all customs personnel receive fair treatment and equal career development opportunities regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion, or background.
- Valuing diversity: Cultivating an organizational culture that respects and appreciates differences while enabling employees from all backgrounds to reach their full potential.
- Supporting GED action plans: Providing technical assistance to help partner customs administrations develop and implement customized GED action plans.
Key Activities of the Follow-Up Mission
The Benin mission represents WCO's ongoing commitment to supporting member administrations in advancing GED principles. Activities focused on three primary components:
- Awareness workshop: Designed to deepen understanding of GED concepts and their operational relevance among Benin Customs staff.
- GED action plan review: WCO experts conducted in-depth discussions with Benin Customs leadership to assess implementation progress and identify challenges.
- Problem-solving sessions: Joint development of solutions and improvement recommendations based on assessment findings.
Expert Team Composition
WCO deployed a specialized team to ensure mission effectiveness:
- A Moroccan customs expert with extensive GED policy implementation experience
- A specialist from the WCO's Regional Office for Capacity Building in West and Central Africa (ROCB WCA) with regional expertise
Foundation of Benin's GED Action Plan
Benin's GED initiative builds upon substantive groundwork. In July 2024, Benin Customs participated in a sub-regional workshop in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, focusing on the Gender Equality Organizational Assessment Tool (GEOAT). Through this workshop, Benin Customs:
- Gained proficiency in using the GEOAT self-assessment methodology
- Conducted a comprehensive organizational evaluation identifying strengths and improvement areas
- Produced a diagnostic report informing its customized GED action plan
Workshop Participation and Outcomes
The awareness workshop engaged over 50 participants including department heads, officers, and trainees. Key outcomes included:
- Enhanced understanding of core GED concepts including equality, diversity, and inclusion
- Recognition of GED's operational benefits for customs efficiency and innovation
- Strengthened capacity to apply GED principles in daily operations
Recommendations for Advancement
Following extensive discussions, WCO experts proposed several strategic recommendations:
- Integrate GED objectives into Benin Customs' strategic planning framework
- Implement regular GED training programs for all personnel levels
- Establish monitoring and evaluation mechanisms for GED initiatives
- Promote diversity in leadership positions
- Foster an inclusive organizational culture valuing all employees
Ongoing WCO Support
WCO maintains commitment to long-term collaboration with Benin Customs through:
- Tailored expert assistance addressing implementation challenges
- Sharing global best practices in GED implementation
- Additional capacity-building workshops and training programs
- Potential funding support for GED initiatives
This follow-up mission represents a significant step in transforming Benin's customs administration through gender equality and diversity principles. The collaboration between WCO and Benin Customs establishes a foundation for more equitable, inclusive, and effective customs operations that may serve as a regional model.