We interviewed Mrs. Houansou during her first days in as the National Ombuds for SOS Children's Villages in Benin. Read on to learn how she sees her new role as Ombuds and what a safe environment means to her.
![]()
Mrs. Houansou, what is your background?
I have a Bachelor's degree in Law with a major in Business Law and Judicial Careers, a Master's degree in Sociology-Anthropology, and a Master's degree in Gender and Development Project Management. I am a specialist in youth issues. I worked for eight years as a Youth Development Officer at the NGO Hunger Free World (HFW) Benin.
What did you do before taking this new position as the Ombuds for SOS Children's Villages in Benin?
I worked with children and youth through my position at Hunger Free World (HFW) Benin. The objective was to get young people to be effective partners and natural change agents in the right to food. In addition, I was an intermediary between the youth and the organization, bringing their needs and voices to the table.
I was also the focal point for child and youth protection at the HFW Benin. This role included a lot of mediation techniques to create a shared understanding of child protection at the NGO.
What does it mean to you to be the National Ombuds for SOS Children’s Villages in Benin?
I worked with children and youth through my position at Hunger Free World (HFW) Benin. The objective was to get young people to be effective partners and natural change agents in the right to food. In addition, I was an intermediary between the youth and the organization, bringing their needs and voices to the table.
I was also the focal point for child and youth protection at the HFW Benin. This role included a lot of mediation techniques to create a shared understanding of child protection at the NGO.
![]()
What does it mean to you to be the National Ombuds for SOS Children’s Villages in Benin?
In simple terms, the role allows me to do more for children. By using the four principles of the Ombuds (confidentiality, impartiality, independence, and informality), I am complementing the child safeguarding system in place in the National Association.
The way how I see it: I am not duplicating or replacing the SOS child safeguarding mechanism, but when a child, or an adult acting on behalf of a child, is dissatisfied with the way a report has been handled, they can contact me. This approach is an innovation in the childcare system in the Republic of Benin. It is inspiring.
Moreover, being an Ombuds means great responsibility. It is a matter of listening to the other person, creating confidence, understanding them by considering all perspectives and being able to orient them.
For me, an Ombuds brings the truth to light. They unite and reconcile the parties in conflict, working in the interest of social justice to generate harmony and understanding. In doing so, they must ensure that the reasons for the wrongdoing do not recur and that all grievances are adequately addressed.
What are the three most important things for you to be able to fulfill this role?
The three most important things to do well in this role are:
- Active listening
- Building and restoring trust between the different stakeholders
- To orient them clearly and unbiasedly and make suggestions to further improve the safeguarding system in protecting children and injured parties.
The Ombuds principles should lead: These are confidentiality, impartiality, independence, and informality. (Editor's note: read on if you want to know more about these principles here).
Why did you apply for this position, ![]()
the Ombuds for SOS Children's Villages?
I chose to apply for this position because I have worked with children and youth for a long time. They are vulnerable and exposed to potential harm or abuse. While working with them, I understood the importance of not only taking them into account but also involving them in any process.
What does a "safe environment" mean to you?
A "safe environment" is where all conditions allow all people to feel protected, free, at peace, and confident and where everything is put in place to secure their rights.
What else would you like to mention?
I want to invite everyone to invest in safeguarding the child and the development of children and young people. The Ombuds approach does not duplicate or replace child safeguarding at SOS Children's Villages; it complements the existing child safeguarding system in the SOS programs.
Finally: what is your personal passion?
My passion is reading, learning new things, and discovering new things.
Thank you for sharing, Mrs. Houansou.