Imagine a customs administration that not only efficiently regulates trade but also fosters a workplace where every employee feels respected, valued, and given equal opportunities. This vision is becoming reality through the World Customs Organization's (WCO) Gender Equality and Diversity in Customs (GEDC) initiative.
Recently, the WCO partnered with Benin Customs to conduct a follow-up workshop in Cotonou, focusing on implementing GEDC policies and raising awareness about gender equality and diversity among Benin Customs personnel.
West Africa Security Project: A Framework for Change
This initiative forms part of the West Africa Security Project (WASP), particularly its Gender Equality and Diversity (GED) component. Funded by Germany's Federal Foreign Office and implemented through collaboration between WCO and German Customs, WASP aims to create work environments that respect diversity while ensuring equal treatment and opportunities across partner customs administrations.
Implementing the GED Action Plan: A Deep Dive Workshop
A WCO team comprising experts from Moroccan Customs and the WCO Regional Office for Capacity Building in West and Central Africa (ROCB WCA) led intensive discussions with Benin Customs officials about implementing their GED Action Plan. This plan was developed following a diagnostic assessment conducted after Benin's participation in a sub-regional workshop in Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire) in July 2024, which focused on applying the Gender Equality Organizational Assessment Tool (GEOAT).
The GEOAT, available to all 186 WCO members, enables customs administrations to conduct self-assessments of their gender equality and diversity practices.
Raising Awareness Through Engagement
The awareness workshop attracted over 50 Benin Customs personnel, including department heads, officers, and trainees at various levels. Participants engaged in dynamic discussions through group activities, case studies, and role-playing exercises that explored:
- Core concepts: Clarifying that gender equality encompasses equal opportunities for all genders, while diversity emphasizes inclusion across gender, race, religion, culture, and perspectives
- Customs-specific challenges: Identifying and overcoming gender biases in customs operations
- Action plan implementation: Detailed review of objectives, measures, and timelines
- GEOAT application: Practical guidance for self-assessment and improvement planning
- Success stories: Case studies of effective GED implementation from other customs administrations
Charting the Path Forward
Workshop outcomes yielded concrete recommendations to institutionalize gender equality and diversity across Benin Customs:
- Regular GED training programs to build staff competencies
- Policy reforms to prohibit discrimination and ensure equal opportunity
- Workplace improvements fostering inclusive environments
- Initiatives to increase women's participation and advancement
- Monitoring mechanisms to track GED Action Plan progress
The Strategic Value of GED in Customs
Beyond ethical imperatives, gender equality and diversity offer tangible operational benefits:
- Enhanced decision-making: Diverse teams provide broader analytical perspectives
- Increased innovation: Varied backgrounds stimulate creative problem-solving
- Improved retention: Inclusive environments boost employee satisfaction
- Reputational benefits: Demonstrates organizational commitment to modern values
- Sustainable development: Aligns with broader socioeconomic progress goals
GEOAT: A Practical Self-Assessment Solution
The Gender Equality Organizational Assessment Tool enables comprehensive evaluations across five critical dimensions:
- Leadership commitment to GED principles
- Anti-discrimination policies and institutional frameworks
- Fairness in HR processes (recruitment, promotions, evaluations)
- Inclusivity of workplace culture and environment
- Effectiveness of internal GED communication
This diagnostic approach allows customs administrations to identify strengths and prioritize improvement areas systematically.
A Model for Progressive Reform
The WCO-Benin collaboration exemplifies how strategic awareness-building, capacity development, and policy reform can transform customs workplaces. By embedding gender equality and diversity into organizational culture, customs administrations can enhance both operational effectiveness and their contribution to sustainable development.