Stéchémin Ghislaine AKAKPO was born to a polygamous and poor family in Parakou, Benin, of a Nagot mother and a Mahi father. She took up work from a young age to support herself until she obtained her BA. Despite difficulties in her background and life, she continued her university studies and obtained an MA in legal sciences in business law and judicial career. She speaks 5 Benin national languages ( Fon, Nagot, Mahi, Dendi, Yoruba and Goun) and 3 international languages (English, French and some German). Her background created in her the desire to help children and especially girls who face the same situation as her. She is a beneficiary of the YALI program (Young African Leaders Initiative) of the Dakar Regional Leadership Center for training in Civic Leadership.

She founded an NGO named ProGen Benin, of which she is the President. The NGO stands for protecting and promoting Children’s especially Girls Rights for education. As a member of the US Benin Yali Alumni’s Association (US BYAA) and the US Benin Women Alumni Association (US-BWAA) since almost 2 years now, she gained experience as Mentor in Women Leadership.