Grace Aboh Dotou

Grace Aboh Dotou (sometimes spelled Grace Dotou-Aboh) (born 1943 in Porto Novo, Benin) is a Beninese teacher, entrepreneur and activist. After she retired from teaching, she created a network of women to create clothing and marketable products made from non-biodegradable plastic bags by disinfecting and recycling them. In 2002, Grace Aboh won a United Nations prize for her work and in 2005, she was one of a group of 1,000 women nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Biography Grace Aboh was born in Porto Novo in 1943 and completed her primary and secondary studies in 1963. In 1964, she earned her elementary Certificate of Educational Aptitude enabling her to become a teacher. In 1980, she created an all-female theatrical group (Qui dit Mieux) for women who, because they were married, were denied the chance to perform on stage with male actors who were not part of their family. When Grace retired from teaching in 1994, she helped create a Non-governmental Organization (NGO) called, the Association for the Development of the Women of Sédji.

In 1996, Grace's dog died after swallowing a plastic bag, which ignited her passion to recycle used plastic bags.

Recycling and poverty reduction Aboh's project began by collecting, cleaning, disinfecting and cutting up non-biodegradable bags that had become trash. Then she wove the plastic strips to construct fabric for hats, dolls, placemats, tablecloths and bags. The first product took her six months to finish. In 1997, she organized a local network of women and girls to collect and recycle bags. Under her direction, the girls and women who worked for her gained an education and were employed making and selling their homemade products. Their wares include clothing, art objects, big shopping bags, small bags, hats, placemats, cup covers, trinkets and dolls.

Initially, the women worked on the recovered plastics at their homes. In 1999, the city council found a convenient location for the NGO to process the plastic waste. However, in 2013 that location was repossessed by the city, which forced the women to do their craft work from their homes.

Memberships African Network of Women in NGOs and Associations (RIFONGA) Association of Business Women and Business Leaders of Benin (AFACEB)

Distinctions In 2002, awarded the United Nations Prize for the Eradication of Poverty and Protection of the Environment In 2005, named one of 1,000 women nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize