Benin is probably one of the better countries in africa to be a women. I would be far more concerned if i was in south africa or other areas with high sexual crime rates. the men talk a lot, hit on you, ask to marry or sleep with you but that is almost always as far as it goes. Beninese are not violent and physical responses are not there. They just annoy you. Some volunteers took to wearing a ring and pretneding they were married bu i found that never really stopped the questions. i found it far more effective(and entertaining for myself and my family members) to just plan old lie. When someone would ask to marry me i usually told them ," well i already have three husbands in america, one that cleans, one that takes care of my children and one that gives me money, what can you do?" The usual response is utter disgust and fear followed by a timely exit. And the laughter that followed between me and my family was worth the annoying comment in the first place.

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