Across Cameroon, a Vibrant Caravan Amplifies Girls’ Voices
One caravan, many voices: Cameroon’s girls speak out
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From June 27 to August 3, 2025, a colorful bus traveled through Cameroon’s 10 regions, making 31 stops, from bustling cities to remote border communities. This was the Girls’ Movement Caravan, passionately led by UNICEF Cameroon in partnership with the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and the Family and supported by dozens of partners and community leaders.
Listening to 5,632 Girls and Many More Children
Through lively city streets, lush hills, mysterious forests, and riverside villages, the bus appeared like a moving poem, bringing hope and contagious energy. More than a journey, the Caravan touched the hearts of the girls it met, sparking engagement and dreams of a future where they reclaim their rightful place. Each stop was a promise: a Cameroon where girls write their own stories, guided by their dreams and hopes.
In one month, the Caravan held 176 consultations, engaging 7,018 children, including 5,632 girls. These safe spaces, away from prying eyes, allowed girls to speak freely about often invisible realities: early marriage, lack of decision-making power, limited access to education, and the need for economic autonomy. “We’re not allowed to express ourselves,” said Haoua, a young girl from the North. “I was sent into marriage at 14 without even knowing the man.”
These powerful testimonies revealed the diversity of challenges across regions and highlighted the urgency of tailored, local actions.
Communities on Board
The Caravan was more than a series of consultations. Driven by a vibrant anthem specially created to convey the Girls’ Movement’s messages, it became a true celebration of pride and future. The lyrics echoed like a universal declaration: “Hey girl, powerful girl, sister… are you feeling good, like a boss lady, like superwoman? We can change the world.”
More than a melody, this song was the heartbeat of the movement. It accompanied footsteps in markets, echoed along dusty paths, and energized village squares, leaving an unforgettable mark. It touched mothers, boys, and even community leaders, uniting everyone in a shared wave of hope and change.
Everywhere, communities mobilized. Local leaders, associations, parents, and boys joined the movement. “We are here to support and guide our children, our girls, because their future is also ours,” said Mahamat, a community leader in Maroua. Boys also made bold commitments to equality. “Before, I let my sister do all the housework. From today, I’ll help her and support her to continue her studies,” said Nasser, 17, in Mokolo.
A Collective Commitment
At each stop, the Caravan strengthened partnerships between girls, families, communities, and decision-makers. Community leaders committed to guiding girls toward full respect of their fundamental rights, transforming collective dynamics.
This inclusive mobilization, engaging boys and parents, especially mothers helped break stereotypes and anchor the fight for girls’ rights in a shared, sustainable vision.
Key Lessons
The Girls’ Movement Caravan revealed several major lessons. It showed that going directly to communities is essential to break the barriers preventing girls from speaking out and to create safe spaces for sharing experiences.
These discussions emphasized that girls’ freedom depends on their right to speak, but also on education and economic autonomy. The Caravan also demonstrated that change cannot be driven by girls alone it requires boys as allies, parents as supporters, and community leaders as influencers.
This collective mobilization, rooted in listening, proximity, and inclusion, stands as a vital engine for building a future where every girl can fully realize her potential.
What’s Next?
Buoyed by its success, the Girls’ Movement is preparing its next step: a national summit that will bring together girls from across Cameroon to consolidate their priorities and amplify their demands.
The Girls’ Movement Caravan was an invitation to transform territories and mindsets, a path toward a more just and equal society, carried by the unwavering hope of the girls themselves.
