Girls' Movement in Cameroon
The Girls' Movement, part of Girls Vision For The Future, aligns with UNICEF's regional effort in West and Central Africa to advance girls' rights.
The Girls' Movement Caravan
From June 27, 2025, to August 2, 2025, the Girls' Movement caravan travelled through all ten regions of Cameroon. This event generated excitement along the roads as thousands of girls shared their dreams and challenges. Community and religious leaders are committed to supporting girls' rights in the country. UNICEF is collaborating closely with communities to foster a wave of change for every girl. From Bertoua to Maroua, Douala to Bamenda, and across the entire country, girls are advancing their advocacy for increased rights and greater achievements.
Girls' Vision for the Future
Recognizing the vital importance of empowering girls and amplifying their voices, UNICEF WCAR has launched an initiative that aims at promoting Girls’ Rights. At the Regional level, our ultimate goal is to develop a comprehensive Regional Agenda created “with and for girls”. In Cameroon, UNICEF, along with the Government and Partners, created a Movement to inform about Girls’ Rights, advocate for Girls’ Rights and create an environment where every girl has the opportunity to thrive, empowered to reach her full potential. The mission is to amplify girls' voices alongside them, advocate for their rights together, and equip them with the necessary tools and support to overcome challenges. This initiative will build girls' capacity to lead advocacy efforts and actively champion the achievement of their rights.
In West and Central Africa, addressing early marriage is crucial, as it significantly impacts girls’ education. Currently, around 40% of girls marry before the age of 18, which contributes to a notable school dropout rate—nearly 30% of girls aged 10-24 leave school early, often due to family obligations or early marriage. With approximately 35 million girls in this age group across the region, this initiative is an essential step towards fostering opportunities and creating a brighter future for these young women. Together, we can drive meaningful change and enhance the lives of millions of girls.
The vision
Our vision is to recognise and empower girls as vital agents of change, shaping not only their futures but also the future of society as a whole. The Girls' Vision for the Future initiative seeks to establish a dynamic platform that inspires girls to take the lead and drive meaningful change in their communities. By actively engaging with key stakeholders and advocating for policies that enhance their rights and opportunities, we can create a supportive environment that champions girls' rights. Collaborating with policymakers, community leaders, religious leaders and various stakeholders, we aim to challenge and transform harmful social norms and practices that contribute to gender inequality.
Girls' Movement in Cameroon
The vision of the Girls’ Movement in Cameroon is to create an environment where every girl has the opportunity to thrive, is free from discrimination and violence, and is empowered to reach her full potential. The objective is to amplify girls' voices alongside them, advocate for their rights together, and equip them with the necessary tools and support to overcome challenges. This initiative will build girls' capacity to lead advocacy efforts and actively champion the achievement of their rights. Cultivate an environment where every girl can flourish, free from discrimination and violence, and be empowered to achieve her fullest potential.
We are looking forward to a pivotal Regional Summit on Girls' Rights, set to take place in Senegal in October 2025, along with a series of National Summits in various regions leading up to this event. These gatherings will serve as invaluable platforms for sharing best practices, fostering collective action, and strengthening advocacy efforts, all focused on ensuring that the rights and potential of girls are recognised and realised.
The official Song of the Girls' Movement in Cameroon
Girls' Movement Dance Challenge
Why invest in Girls ?
Girls represent about one-fourth of Cameroon’s population, totalling around 6 million adolescents aged 10 to 24. Investing in their education and empowerment is not just beneficial; it's transformative for society as a whole. Studies reveal that for every dollar dedicated to girls' education, communities can reap five dollars in return. Additionally, a modest annual investment of just $4.60 per adolescent can lead to extraordinary tenfold returns over time.
Yet, countless girls in Cameroon face formidable obstacles, including early marriage, gender-based violence, and limited access to educational opportunities. The Girls’ Movement is committed to breaking down these barriers by empowering girls to take charge of their advocacy and assert their rights. Through dynamic workshops, mentorship programs, and community engagement, we equip girls with crucial leadership skills, fostering them into agents of change within their communities.
By investing in the education and empowerment of girls, we unlock their potential and pave the way for lasting economic and social progress in Cameroon. Together, let’s create a brighter future that uplifts not just girls but entire communities!
Partnership
UNICEF in Cameroon is boldly leading the charge for girls' empowerment through the Girls' Vision for the Future initiative, in partnership with the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and the Family (MINPROFF) as a co-lead. This initiative is supported by the Ministry of
Youth and Civic Education (MINJEC), various UN sister agencies, including UNESCO, UN Women, and UNHCR, as well as reputable international non-governmental organisations like Plan International and KOICA, and the Embassy of Japan.
We are committed to advancing the rights and empowerment of girls in Cameroon by engaging with community leaders, parents, and key stakeholders across the private sector. Our comprehensive approach aims to create solid, broad-based support for girls' rights. Key partners within our task force include UN Women, Plan International, UNDP, UNESCO, and UNHCR, all working together to drive meaningful change for girls in the country.