A new chapter for Girls in Cameroon: historic launch of the Girls' Movement

Yaoundé, April 16, 2025 – Today marks a historic day for young girls and communities across Cameroon. UNICEF, under the leadership of the Ministry of Women's Empowerment and the Family, in collaboration with MINJEC and other United Nations agencies, has launched the Girls' Movement in Cameroon. This event symbolises a major advancement in the promotion of girls' rights and empowerment throughout the country.

Girls in Cameroon face numerous challenges that hinder their development and well-being, including gender discrimination, early marriages, vulnerability to HIV, and gender-based violence. They also suffer from nutritional problems and cultural taboos related to menstrual hygiene, which limit their access to education and healthcare. These obstacles highlight opportunities for targeted initiatives aimed at improving their situation and promoting their empowerment.

The Girls' Movement in Cameroon aims to create, for girls and with girls, an environment where every girl has the opportunity to thrive, is free from discrimination and violence, and is empowered to reach her full potential. Through actions such as consultations, mentoring programs, webinars, and innovation hackathons, this movement will strengthen girls' capacity to lead advocacy efforts and actively defend the realisation of their rights.

"Being a teenager in Cameroon means facing countless difficulties, but thanks to the Girls' Movement, we will have platforms to express our voices and achieve our dreams. I am determined to never give up on my dreams," said Lidia, 16, a member of the Adolescent Girl Advisory Board (AGAB).

The launch of the Girls' Movement in Cameroon represents a unique opportunity to transform the lives of adolescent girls and strengthen their role in society. By investing in their education, health, and well-being, the movement aims to create a future where every girl has the chance to thrive and actively contribute to her community.

"Investing in adolescent girls is essential to building a prosperous and equitable future. The Girls' Movement in Cameroon is a promising initiative that will enable girls to become agents of positive change in their communities. Today, we are making a strong call, a collective call: it is time to act, to build, and to imagine a future designed by girls, for girls," said Nadine Perrault, UNICEF representative in Cameroon.

"The success of this movement relies on collaboration with various partners to build broad support for girls' rights. We are determined to create an environment where every girl can thrive and reach her full potential. Together, we can change the course

of things," emphasised Madame Marie-Thérèse Abena Ondoa, Minister of Women's Empowerment and the Family.

This initiative is a platform for young girls to share their visions and aspirations, and for partners to reiterate their commitment to promoting girls' rights.