Marie-Elise Gbèdo

Marie-Elise Gbèdo was born on 29 December 1954 in Mankono, in today's Ivory Coast. She was educated in Benin at the primary and secondary level, then went to France to continue her studies at the Sorbonne University. She earned a license and a master's degree in law, and in 1983 she obtained a Master in Business Law. The certificate of fitness as a lawyer (CAPA) was granted to her the following year. She joined the Paris Bar in 1985 and worked for several law firms.{{cite web|url=http://www.panapress.com/Marie-Elise-Gbedo-se-presente-sous-le-signe-de-la-parite--12-628542-10-lang4-index.html|title=Marie Elise-Gbédo se présente sous le signe de la parité|date=26 January 2006|work=Agence panafricaine de presse|accessdate=21 October 2016|language=French}}{{cite book|author1=Emmanuel Kwaku Akyeampong|author2=Henry Louis Gates|author2-link=Henry Louis Gates|title=Dictionary of African Biography|publisher=Oxford University Press|year=2012|volume=6|pages=437–438|isbn=9780195382075}} In 1987, on her return to Benin, Gbedo became the fifth woman to be called to the bar in her country. The lawyer opened her own office two years later.{{cite web|url=http://www.ips.org/fr/politique-benin-marie-elise-gbedo-symbole-de-perseverance/|title=Marie Elise Gbèdo, symbole de persévérance|author=Ulrich Vital Ahotondji|date=5 February 2011|work=Inter Press Service|language=French|access-date=21 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140527221817/http://www.ips.org/fr/politique-benin-marie-elise-gbedo-symbole-de-perseverance/|archive-date=27 May 2014|url-status=dead}} She championed the rights of women and chaired the Association of Women Lawyers of Benin (AFJB). Gbedo encouraged women to pursue university studied and lamented the lack of female administrators in Benin.

In March 1998, she was shot five times after leaving her office by six gunmen. Her seven-year-old son was hit by a bullet as well. Four of the attackers were sentenced to 15 years of hard labor, with one being acquitted.{{cite news|title=Présidentielle au Benin : Marie-Elise Gbèdo, une femme dans la mêlée|url=http://www.jeuneafrique.com/296397/politique/presidentielle-benin-marie-elise-gbedo-femme-melee/|accessdate=21 October 2016|work=Jeune Afrique|date=26 February 2016|language=French}}

In May 1998 she was appointed Minister of Commerce, Crafts, and Tourism by President Mathieu Kérékou. She was dismissed from that position in June 1999 after attempting to resolve a scandal pertaining to a business deal between the nationalized petroleum company SONACOP and a private firm. Afterward, she became a vocal critic of the government, making her determined to end business as usual. She frequently appeared on national television and radio criticizing the Kerekou administration.

In February 2001, she announced her candidacy for the March 2001 presidential election, becoming the country's first female presidential candidate and the first in West Africa.{{cite book|author1=Mathurin C. Houngnikpo|author2=Samuel Decalo|title=Historical Dictionary of Benin|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield|year=2013|page=183|isbn=9780810871717}} In doing so, Gbèdo, a mother of two, faced some conservative attitudes. In particular, she received disapproval because she was divorced. Reportedly she received more disapproval from women than men, although she had the backing of some women's groups such as Dignite Feminine. Running as an independent, she adopted the slogan "Hwenusu" ( "The time has come" in the Fon language).{{cite news|first=Michee|last=Boko|url=http://www.afrol.com/News2001/ben002_woman_candidate.htm |title=First female presidential candidate in Benin |work=IPS (afrol News) |date=22 February 2001|accessdate=21 October 2016}} She said and said it's time that women engage in politics and exercise power. Her candidacy also focused on the fight against corruption.{{cite web|url=http://www.ips.org/fr/politique-benin-deux-amazones-a-la-conquete-du-pouvoir-detat/|title=Deux amazones à la conquête du pouvoir d'Etat|author=Michée Boko|date=24 February 2006|work=Inter Press Service|accessdate=21 October 2016|language=French|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140527214831/http://www.ips.org/fr/politique-benin-deux-amazones-a-la-conquete-du-pouvoir-detat/|archive-date=27 May 2014|url-status=dead}} In the election, she took 11th place with 0.36% of the vote.

In November 2005, she wrote the book "Le destin du roseau" (The Reed of Destiny), containing autobiographical interviews and essays on her vision of Benin's development and that of Africa in general. Running again in the March 2006 presidential election, Gbedo was followed by filmmaker Sanvi Panou, who created a documentary film called The Amazon candidate. Another woman, Celestine Zanou, was among the 26 candidates. Gbedo took 16th place with 0.33% of the vote.{{cite web|url=http://africanelections.tripod.com/bj.html |title=Elections in Benin|work=African Elections Database|accessdate=21 October 2016}}

She ran for president in the March 2011 presidential election. After Thomas Boni Yayi was declared victorious, she opted to back him despite opposition figures challenging the results. As a result, he named her Minister of Justice in 2012.{{cite web|url=http://www.justice.gouv.bj/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=23&Itemid=60|title=Biographie d'Akuavi Marie-Elise Christiana Gbèdo|work=Ministère de la Justice, de la Législation et des Droits de l'Homme|accessdate=21 October 2016|language=French|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140527215901/http://www.justice.gouv.bj/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=23&Itemid=60|archive-date=27 May 2014|url-status=dead}} Gbèdo served until 2013 and was replaced by a woman, Reckya Madougou.{{cite book|author1=Gretchen Bauer|author2=Josephine Dawuni|title=Gender and the Judiciary in Africa: From Obscurity to Parity?|date=2015|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1317516484}} She unsuccessfully contested the March 2016 presidential election.{{cite news|url=http://www.lanouvelletribune.info/benin/politique/26219-presidentielle-2016-le-reve-de-marie-elise-gbedo-enfin-concretise|title=Présidentielle 2016 : Le rêve de Marie-Elise Gbèdo enfin concrétisé|work=La Nouvelle Tribune|author=Par Yao Hervé Kingbêwé |date=3 November 2013|accessdate=21 October 2016|language=French}} Her platform was based on providing reliable electricity and combating youth unemployment.{{cite news|title=Benin Election: Female candidate makes fourth attempt at presidency|url=http://www.africanews.com/2016/03/04/benin-election-female-candidate-makes-fourth-attempt-at-presidency/|accessdate=21 October 2016|work=Africa News|date=4 March 2016}}

The title of Commander of the National Order of Benin was awarded to Marie-Elise Gbèdo in 2000. She is also a Knight of the National Order of the Legion of Honor.

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• [http://www.marieelisegbedo.com/ Personal website]

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Category:1954 births

Category:Living people

Category:Justice ministers of Benin

Category:Trade ministers of Benin

Category:Women government ministers of Benin

Category:20th-century Beninese women politicians

Category:20th-century Beninese politicians

Category:21st-century Beninese women politicians

Category:21st-century Beninese politicians

Category:Candidates for President of Benin