Auteur/autrice : TimesNews2

Les 20 et 21 Décembre 2022, un colloque international sur les violences en milieu scolaire au Cameroun s’est tenu à Yaoundé à l’initiative d’une collaboration stratégique entre le Fond du Secrétariat Général des Nations Unies pour la Paix et le Ministère des Enseignements Secondaires. L’objectif des travaux est de réduire à sa plus simple expression le phénomène des violences scolaires. Selon le contexte, ces dernières années scolaires ont été marquées par des faits divers qui racontent des actes de violences dans l’enceinte de nombreux établissements scolaires à travers le Cameroun. Plus de 10 cas d’actes de cruauté ont alimenté les colonnes des journaux et suscité un tollé général au sein du pays. Des faits dont les auteurs sont des élèves et leurs camarades et, de plus en plus, leurs encadreurs ceci à la faveur du développement fulgurant des réseaux sociaux. La variante des vidéos sexuelles est apparue des nouvelles formes de violence. La conférence internationale de Yaoundé a réuni plus de 150 acteurs des « différents segments de la société camerounaise… des parlementaires, des enseignants du secondaire et du supérieur, des élèves, des parents, des représentants des forces de sécurité, des membres d’organisations de la société civile et des partenaires au développement ». La cérémonie protocolaire d’ouverture a connu la présence de la Ministre des Enseignements Secondaires, le Pr Nalova Lyonga, le Ministre de l’Enseignement Supérieur, Ministre d’Etat, le Pr Jacques Fame Ndongo, La Ministre de la Promotion de la Femme et de la Famille, Marie Thérèse Abena Ondoa et la Ministre des Affaires Sociales, Pauline Irène Nguéné. Les Ministres de l’éducation de Base et de la Jeunesse et de l’éducation Civique se sont fait représenter respectivement. La cartographie de la violence scolaire a été présentée par Bernadette Mbiah Sansi, Directeur de l’orientation, de la vie et de l’Assistance scolaires au Ministère des Enseignements secondaires. Elle dit : « la violence est un fait social. L’école est dans la société et donc les actes de violences qui se produisent dans la société se reproduisent forcément à l’école. L’école est un microcosme de la Société et il est difficile d’identifier les causes de la violence scolaire qui exclue les causes de la violence en société. C’est les mêmes causes c’est-à-dire un mal être selon les cliniciens. Un individu qui commet des actes de violences est un individu mal dans son être et qui a des problèmes de santé mentale. L’environnement lui-même est devenu violent vous partez de votre maison au travail vous vous faites insulter dix mille fois par des jeunes Camerounais et donc ces élèves vivent dans cette société là… » Elle précise dans son exposé liminaire que 70 pour cent des violences sont issues de l’enseignement secondaire général et 30 pour cent de l’enseignement secondaire technique. En dehors du panel d’honneur essentiellement constitué des membres du gouvernement, 4 autres panels ont porté les travaux à travers des thématiques d’analyse de la situation et de proposition des solutions. Des élèves ont présenté des témoignages émouvants tout comme des enseignants et autres experts. La principale résolution de ces travaux de deux jours, est de susciter la prise de conscience de toute la communauté éducative nationale sur l’intérêt de mutualiser les forces pour ramener à sa portion la plus congrue, la violence en milieu scolaire dans le pays. « Un travail ardue » confie un syndicaliste de l’éducation, participant au colloque. Par Jean Patient Tsala

A global initiative program for early childhood development dubbed: “Thrive by Five” was officially presented in Yaounde, Cameroon on Wednesday 7th December 2022 during a ceremony chaired by Social Affairs Minister, Pauline Irene Nguene. Thanks to the Kalkaba Development Initiative, KDI, Cameroon is today the first country in the French-speaking African region to benefit from the Thrive by Five program which is being rolled out in some 30 countries. The Thrive by Five program launched in Yaounde during a colorful ceremony that gathered government officials and various key actors will be fast-tracked by KDI who partnered with Australian philanthropic organization, Minderoo Foundation. From information granted to the audience present at the official launch, the program seeks to raise global awareness of the early years of a child and the necessity to empower parents and caregivers through a variety of channels both digital and non-digital in their own language and individually tailored to meet a particular country’s language, cultural and social requirements. The Thrive by Five program as underscored by KDI is underpinned by three core products which are: the thrive by five app for parents and caregivers of children aged between 0 to 5 years; the support of the thrive by five content disseminated via online and offline channels for increased accessibility and the thrive by five TED talk by Molly Wright. Founder and President of KDI, Mr. Hamad Kalkaba Malboum in his keynote address outlined the increasing need to support underprivileged children who dream also of a brighter future. He said: “A country’s future and prosperity lies in the hands of its children. In Cameroon, more than 40 percent of the population is 14 years old or younger. It is scientifically proven that the first five years of a child’s life are crucial to their brain development, yet many children in our country are unable to attend early childhood education, and many parents do not know how important interactions with their children are for their development.” He further said this innovative program will positively impact the development of childhood in Cameroon. “We are proud to launch this program in Cameroon, together with our friends at Minderoo Foundation, to educate parents and caregivers about the importance of the first five years, because we believe that it will help create a better future for the people of Cameroon.” He added. The President of KDI, Hamad Kalkaba Malboum equally praised the existing and fruitful partnership sealed with the government through the Ministry of Social Affairs and the Ministry of Women’s empowerment and the family. On his part, Francis Ogutu, Minderoo’s Director for Africa outlined the importance of this program just launched in Cameroon which has a young vibrant population. Cameroon’s Minister of Social Affairs said this partnership comes at the right time and it will help reinforce the multiple actions carried out by the government and precisely by her ministerial department that is in charge of questions of childhood. Minister Nguene said: “Thrive By Five, as you have seen in previous screenings, is an initiative focused on the inclusive development of early childhood (0-5 years).  In a context marked by increased globalization with the corollary and the exponential development of new communication technologies, received ideas, and real impacts on the psychological and psychic construction of the child, exposing him/her to multiple flows of information. It was important, even necessary, to rethink the strategy of giving our children a better way of seeing the world in which they live through programs and contents…” Pauline Irene Nguene went further to underscore the need for these multi-educational contents to be scaled up to make room for lessons corresponding to the cultural and economic specificities and the priorities of each child. “This necessitates the development and implementation of the Thrive by Five application as a beginning of an effective response to this global challenge of children’s education and it is the result of the hard work of Cameroonian and Australian experts in the process of contextualizing the application. Thus, beyond the qualitative gain for the development of the child and the family in general, as we have just seen, the benefits of this project for Cameroon are invaluable quantitatively, because the children of today are the future of our country. As such, I would like not only to congratulate the people in charge of KDI, for this opportunity they are offering to Cameroonian children but also, to praise their patriotic spirit for the partnership they have engaged in with the MINDEROO FOUNDATION to see Cameroonian families benefit from the experience of those in Australia, thank you again.” She indicated. Social Affairs’ Boss reiterated the fact that this program falls in line with Cameroon’s new development objectives contained in the 2020-2030 strategy with a focus on human capital to ensure that vulnerable groups or communities have the means and skills to live healthily. Let us recall that KDI and the Ministry of Social Affairs signed on June 2022 a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU which incorporates this program. KDI was founded in 2007 by Mr. Kalkaba Malboum who is a public figure well-known for his contributive actions in the sports and social milieus. Elise Flore Kenimbeni

Cameroon’s Minister women’s empowerment and the family, Marie-Therese Abena Ondoa officially launched on December 6, 2022, in Yaounde, the national mapping of Gender-Based Violence service providers as part of activities marking the 16 days of Activism. The initiative that has been put in place by the Ministry of women’s empowerment and the family has officially seen the daylight thanks to the support of the World Bank, one of the numerous key partners of Cameroon’s government. The mapping of Gender-Based Violence, GBV service providers in Cameroon as indicated, is aimed at assessing the services that have been set up throughout the country and strengthening the response for the victims and survivors of GBV. Speaking on Tuesday 6th December 2022 in Yaounde, Minister of women’s empowerment and the family, Marie-Therese Abena Ondoa said this nationwide project that is very crucial to the government is to: exchange on the challenges related to the fight against GBV; create awareness among key actors and partners on the importance of data in the fight against GBV and to foster a framework for exchange between key actors in the fight against GBV, partners and the media, in order to give visibility to the initiative undertaken. She said: “This programme will be the operational tool of the national strategy to combat GBV and the action plan for the elimination of female genital mutilation. Its objective is to coordinate the actions of government, development partners and civil society organizations in the national response to the increased vulnerability of women and girls caused by GBV, in a humanitarian context resulting from socio-political crises and COVID-19. Planned for the period 2023-2026, this programme focuses on the consolidation of the achievements of close or similar programmes, the pooling of programmatic approaches in order to optimize results…” Madame Abena Ondoa praised the World Bank, United Nations Population Fund, and United Nations Women for their push and continuous support to the government in improving on the holistic management of victims and survivors of GBV in Cameroon. United Nations System Coordinator spokesperson, Mrs Noemi Delmonte who is UNFPA’s Deputy Representative in Cameroon said the initiative that officially takes off will help to: fill in the gaps, limit the increasing cases of GBV, reinforce strategies to combat the scourge and create more room for community-based activities, especially in humanitarian settings. Despite the numerous challenges that still hinder the fight against GBV in Cameroon, Mrs Delmonte believes collective actions and effective engagement from different actors will greatly impact on this move. World Bank’s Director of operations, Mr. Seck Abdoulaye said the fight against GBV requires a multisectoral response, reason why the World Bank stands beside the government of Cameroon to grant its financial support and technical contribution. In his address, he pointed out the significant actions carried out by the World Bank since 2017 in Cameroon in terms of prevention and mitigation of GBV risk and projects implanted in some targeted areas of the country. He said: “The world Bank Group considers that no country, community or economy can achieve its potential or meet the challenges of the 21st century without the full and equal participation of women and men, girls and boys. It is committed to closing the gaps between males and females globally for a lasting impact in tackling poverty and driving sustainable economic growth that benefits all…” Abdoulaye Seck added that a report released by the World Bank Group estimates the costs of intimate partner violence at up to 3.7 per cent of Gross Domestic Product, GDP. In Cameroon, statistics from the 2018 Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) indicate that, in terms of domestic violence, more than four out of ten (44%) women aged 15-49 in a union or in a broken union reported having experienced violence, be it emotional, physical, and/or sexual abuse, at some point by a current or most recent husband/partner and 32% of cases are recent, that is in the last 12 months. The most common forms of domestic violence for women are physical (34%), emotional (29%), and sexual abuse (10%).  Elise Flore Kenimbeni

Dans le cadre de la campagne des 16 jours d’activisme contre les Violences Basées sur le Genre, la DR-MINPROFF, Plan International Cameroon et le Haut-commissariat des Nations unies pour les Refugies(HCR) ont organisé le 6 décembre 2022, un atelier de sensibilisation des jeunes filles et garçons dans l’arrondissement de Yaoundé 3eme.  « Œuvrons ensemble pour mettre fin à la violence faite aux femmes et jeunes filles » tel est le thème choisi par la délégation régionale de la promotion de la femme et de la famille pour le Centre en collaboration avec Plan International Cameroon et le Haut-commissariat des Nations unies pour les Refugies(HCR), ceci dans le cadre d’une série d’activités visant à promouvoir et protéger les femmes et jeunes filles contre toutes formes d’atteintes à leurs droits et à leur dignité. Le Mardi 6 décembre 2022, c’est le siège du centre de la promotion de la femme et de la famille(CPFF) de l’arrondissement de Yaoundé III qui a abrite l’atelier de sensibilisation sur ledit thème. L’atelier qui a réuni près de 40 femmes, jeunes filles et garçons était l’occasion de palper les réalités que rencontrent de nombreuses personnes déplacées interne (PDI) et refugies qui sont le plus souvent au cœur de ces violences. Selon Monique Makon, assistante sociale Plan international Cameroon/HCR, il était question d’outiller les différentes cibles sur la thématique des Violences Basées sur le Genre(VBG) en général et de les sensibiliser davantage sur la prévention de ce fléau qui mine notre société. L’assistante sociale a indiqué que cette activité qui se tient dans le cadre des 16 jours d’activisme fait partie des nombreuses activités portées par Plan International et le HCR notamment dans des zones ou des refugies et personnes déplacées interne(PDI) y figurent pour un impact positif. « Nous souhaitons que ces différentes communautés sensibilisées soient dans leur entourage, environnement des leaders et surtout qu’ils sachent à quel moment se produit un VBG et ou se diriger en cas d’un VBG. » Dit-elle. L’atelier présidé par Elie Nguele, Délégué régional de la promotion de la femme et de la famille pour le Centre a permis aux différents participants de mettre sur la table de nombreux cas de VBG que ceux-ci vivent au quotidien. « Je connais une voisine qui repassait les seins de sa fille ! » a dévoilé une participante dans la salle. Une pratique condamnable par le gouvernement camerounais qui continue pourtant de faire son nid dans certaines communautés du fait de certaines croyances et traditions. Des jeunes filles telles que Elodie, réfugiée Tchadienne qui a pris part à cette activité a apprécié cette initiative qui selon elle lui a permis d’appréhender d’une autre façon les VBG. La jeune élève d’une vingtaine d’années pense que cet atelier va également lui donner des armes afin de lutter à sa manière contre les violences de toutes formes en milieu scolaire et même et en famille. Monsieur Nguele Elie, le Délégué régional a appelé tous les participants à dénoncer ces violences néfastes qui sévit dans leur environnement ou milieu de vie, ou encore que ces derniers qui subissent ces pratiques alertent les autorités compétentes afin que les auteurs soient punis. Aux sorties de l’atelier, le patron de la promotion de la femme et de la famille dans la région du Centre s’est réjoui de la collaboration fructueuse qui existe avec Plan Cameroon et le HCR au vu des activités génératrices de revenus qui permettent à plusieurs PDI et refugies de s’autonomiser, une forme de lutte contre les VBG. Elie Nguele souligne le fait que les CPFF sont des espaces d’accueil pour l’autonomisation des jeunes filles et garçons. « Comme vous le savez nous avons des centres de formations et dans la région du Centre, nous avons 26 centres de la promotion de la femme et de la famille. Ce sont des espaces qui donnent justement la possibilité aux personnes en situation difficile et également aux jeunes filles et garçons hors du système scolaire de bénéficier des différentes formations qui sont offertes. Pour ce qui est du cas spécifique des refugies et en partenariat avec le HCR et Plan Cameroon, ces personnes bénéficient déjà de plusieurs formations dans nos centres mais également des appuis pour leurs installations. Parce que une chose est de former quelqu’un mais une chose est également de l’aider à s’insérer dans le marché de l’emploi. Et dans le cadre de la journée de la femme africaine célébrée le 31 juillet dernier, beaucoup de femmes refugies ont reçu une formation en aquaculture. Et nous espérons que cette formation leur sera bénéfique… » Une fois de plus, Madame Makon a ajouté à la fin de la rencontre qu’il est important qu’un suivi soit fait sur des cas qui sont reportés par les victimes ce qui va encourager d’autres à dénoncer. Elle dit : « Lors de nos échanges nous avons constatés qu’il ya des cas de VBG mais ces personnes n’ont aucune référence et bien même quand il y’a référence, il n’ya pas de suivi. Alors, dans le cadre de nos activités nous voulons accentuer notre plaidoyer à l’endroit de nos partenaires pour le suivi des cas et de trouver des solutions pour ces nombreuses victimes de VBG » Cet atelier riche en échanges et recommandations a été clôturé par une remise d’un important lot de dons au CPFF de Yaoundé 3eme. La Directrice qui a réceptionné les dons a salué l’accompagnement de Plan International et le HCR qui viennent enrichir la salle d’informatique en matériels. Pour rappel, la campagne annuelle internationale dénommé : « 16 Jours d’activisme contre la violence basée sur le genre à l’égard des femmes et des filles » démarre le 25 novembre de chaque année, à l’occasion de la Journée internationale pour l’élimination de la violence à l’égard des femmes, et prend fin le 10 décembre, qui marque la Journée des droits Humains. Cette campagne a été lancée par des activistes lors de l’inauguration de l’institut international pour le leadership des femmes en 1991. Par Jean-Patient Tsala

Social Affairs Minister, Pauline Irene Nguene was speaking on Saturday 3rd December 2022 in Yaounde during the official celebration of the 31st edition of the international day of persons with disabilities, IDPD. Activities to officially mark the 31st edition of the international day of persons living with disabilities took place on Saturday, 3rd December 2022 at the courtyard of the national rehabilitation center for persons with disabilities in Etoug-Ebe, Yaounde. This year’s edition was placed under the theme: “Transformative solutions for inclusive development: the role of innovation in fuelling an accessible and equitable world“. As underscored by the Ministry of Social Affairs, the United Nations calls on States to seek innovative solutions and to take sustainable measures to improve the living conditions of persons with disabilities, by engaging in interactive dialogues on the themes of Innovation for disability-inclusive development in employment (SDG8) and Innovation for disability-inclusive development in reducing inequalities (SDG10). The ceremony punctuated by several articulations was another occasion seized by persons with disabilities, PWD to voice out the numerous issues that affect them notably the precarious situations in which many are entangled due to lack of employment. Spokesperson of PWDs and by the way President of a network of associations of women living with disabilities in Cameroon known by its French acronym RAFHCAM said despite the various efforts undertaken so far by the government to protect and promote the rights of PWDs, there are quite challenging issues that still need to be uplifted. Mrs. Djuimo Odette said: “We still face physical and psychological obstacles which prevent us from fully enjoying our various rights notably in the domains of education, decent employment, sports and leisure, community goods and services, access to information for some who lack adapted materials for translation just to name these few…Persons with disabilities are generally subject to discrimination and marginalization even in terms of decision-making in groups.” While outlining the different problems faced by PWDs in Cameroon, Mrs. Djuimo Odette equally challenged the government to transfer some competencies to other ministries which do not have inclusive programs and projects for the disabled. She pointed out that all worries are carried to the Ministry of Social Affairs which to her is a small ministerial department that takes into account all issues affecting PWDs. “There is no development without persons with disabilities.” Said Minister Pauline Irene Nguene in her introductory note. Cameroon’s Minister of Social Affairs indicated some key figures in her address. She said in 2017, the population of Cameroon was estimated at twenty-three million two hundred and forty-eight thousand four (23.248.004) inhabitants and if we apply the ratio of the World Report on Disability (15%) to these demographic data, Cameroon has almost three million four hundred and eighty-seven thousand two hundred (3.487.200) people with at least one disability. As stated by the Minister, this is a significant figure of our population that should not be left aside. “Persons with disabilities should have the same privileges as normal persons. And the theme chosen this year is another call to action. We should act together for an inclusive society.” said Madame Nguene. Social Affairs’ patroness said: “This year’s theme is built around two keywords that are: “innovation” and “transformative solutions” to achieve inclusive development based on the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, SDG 8 and 10 which respectively prescribe to States to achieve full and productive employment and ensure decent work and equal pay for work of equal value for all women and men, including youth and persons with disabilities; Empower all people and promote their social, economic and political integration, irrespective of age, gender, disability…” “The celebration of the international day of persons with disabilities is part of the continued implementation of the policy of social justice and national solidarity advocated by the President of the Republic, His Excellency Paul BIYA, which promotes the contribution of all to economic growth, every one according to his or her possibilities and capacities. It is notably marked by the ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities as well as the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, relating to the rights of these people. Besides, the IDPD 2022 is part of the operationalization of the orientations of the National Development Strategy 2020 – 2030 for structural transformation and inclusive development, which aim at the development of human capital and the well-being of the populations.” She added. Another point on the agenda of this ceremony was the official handing over of end of courses attestations to some seven young girls of the “Bobine d’Or” inclusive training center of Ekounou in Yaounde 4. And to drop curtains on the 31st edition of the international day of persons with disabilities, the Minister visited the stands of PWDs who showcased their arts of works. Elise Kenimbeni

Minister of women’s empowerment and the family, Marie-Therese Abena Ondoa on Friday 25th November 2022 in Yaounde, Cameroon urged all key actors to mutualize efforts in order to bring at the heels Gender-based violence. Activities marking the international day for the elimination of violence against women and the 16th edition of the global campaign dubbed: “16 days of activism against violence on women and girls” were officially launched on Friday 25th November 2022 in Yaounde, Cameroon by Minister of women’s empowerment and the family, Marie-Therese Abena Ondoa. The campaign that runs from November 25 to December 10 is this year placed under the theme: “Let us join forces to end violence against women and girls.” Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Abena Ondoa Marie-Therese said the fight against Gender-Based violence, GBV remains one of the core priorities of her ministerial department and government as a whole as coordinated actions have been put in place to end this scourge. She said the government with the support of its technical and financial partners has recently elaborated the 2022-2026 National Strategic Plan for the fight against Gender-Based Violence and a National Plan of Action to tackle female genital mutilations. In her address, MINPROFF underscored some relevant challenges such as the environmental, health, security, and climate change crises that accentuate all forms of GBV on women and girls notably in the North-West, South-West, and Far-North regions which are rocked by the crises. The Minister equally indicated that the government is inclined on uplifting legal challenges to restore the dignity of women and girls. “At the national level, the principle of gender equality is affirmed in the Constitution of Cameroon adopted in 1972 and revised in 1996 and 2008. Although there is no specific law that punishes violence against women, the legal framework for the protection of women against attacks on their dignity and physical integrity was strengthened with the adoption in 2016 of Law No. 2016/007 of 12 July 2016 on the Penal Code. However, more efforts need to be made to domesticate the provisions of ratified international conventions and align them with the national legal framework. The revision of the Civil Code, which has been underway for several years, the drafting of new texts integrating the relevant provisions of the CEDAW, such as the Persons and Family Code, and the bill of law on the repression of gender-based violence are hopeful for the many victims…” Minister Abena Ondoa outlined. GBV rates on alert As indicated in a report from the Ministry of women’s empowerment and the family, violence against women and girls is still a reality in Cameroon and key figures show how challenging is the situation nationwide. The report states that: “The 2018 Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) indicates that 39% of women and 42% of men aged 15-49 years reported having experienced physical violence from individuals, since the age of 15. Furthermore, 18% of women and 14% of men experienced such violence in the last 12 months of the survey. It should be noted that the percentage of women aged 15-49 who experienced physical violence from individuals in the 12 months prior to the survey increased from the 2004 DHS-III to the 2011 DHS-MICS, from 21% to 27%; then it dropped to 18% in the 2018 DHS-V.” Added to the above statistics, MINPROFF states that domestic violence is predominant and is even the cause of several deaths. “In terms of domestic violence, more than four out of ten (44%) women aged 15-49 in a union or in a broken union reported having experienced violence, be it emotional, physical, and/or sexual abuse, at some point by a current or most recent husband/partner and 32% of cases are recent, that is in the last 12 months. The most common forms of domestic violence for women are physical (34%), emotional (29%), and sexual abuse (10%).  The results for men show that one-third (33%) of men in a union or relationship breakdown have experienced emotional, physical, and/or sexual abuse, at some point from a current or most recent wife/partner and 22% of cases are recent, that is within the last 12 months. Men mostly reported experiencing emotional abuse (30% at some point and 18% recently) compared to 12% and 7% respectively for physical violence. Compared to women, the percentages of men who experienced physical violence are about three times lower (12% and 7% compared to 34% and 20%). The DHS-V data also reveals that among women aged 15-49 who are currently pregnant or have been pregnant, 7% reported having experienced physical violence during pregnancy, regardless of the perpetrator.” UNiTE Campaign The “16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence” is an international campaign launched in 1991 by activists from the Women’s Global Leadership Institute to protect women’s rights and prevent and eliminate violence against women and girls. In support of this civil society initiative, UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres is calling for global action to raise awareness, galvanize advocacy efforts, and share knowledge and innovations to end Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) once and for all through the global UNiTE campaign against violence on women and girls launched in 2008. It is a multi-year advocacy effort for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls worldwide. “UNiTE” calls on governments, development actors, civil society, women’s organizations, youth, the private sector, the media, and the entire UN system to join forces to combat violence against women and girls. The dates of 25 November, International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and 10 December, International Human Rights Day, marking the beginning and end of the Campaign respectively, were chosen to symbolically create a link between violence against women and girls and human rights. Thus, emphasis is placed on the fact that such violence is a violation of human rights. The sixteen-day period also highlights other significant dates, such as 29 November, International Human Rights Defenders Day, and 1 December, World AIDS Day. Elise Kenimbeni

The city of Yaounde played host on November 22, 2022, to a press lunch aimed at raising awareness on the optional protocols relating to the convention on the rights of the child ratified by Cameroon. Close to 20 participants from the media, international organizations, civil society organizations, and the government gathered in Yaounde, Cameroon’s nation capital on Tuesday, November 22, 2022, in line with the 33rd anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, placed under the theme: “For an equal and inclusive world”. According to the United Nations, the celebration that takes place every year on November 20 recalls the crucial role of children in our societies, and the need to protect and promote their rights. Cameroon signed on October 27, 1990, and ratified on January 11, 1993, the Convention on the Rights of the Child. This convention made up of some important protocols was reviewed by the different participants at the press lunch. As indicated by the Country Director of Plan International, this ratification marks the willingness and commitment of authorities to create a favourable and conducive environment for the full development of every child. Cameroon, despite this strong willingness, faces security, economic and cultural challenges that hamper the implementation of children’s rights. Mr. Johnson Bien-Aimé added that this ratification marks the will and commitment of authorities to create a conducive and favorable environment for the full development of each child. In addition, Cameroon signed on October 5, 2001, two of the Optional Protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, CRC. In particular, the: Optional Protocol on the involvement of children in armed conflict, ratified on February 4, 2013; Optional Protocol, concerning the sale of children, child prostitution, and child pornography, ratified in 2019, in accordance with Law No. 2019/017 of December 24, 2019, authorizing the President of the Republic to ratify the said protocol. In his speech, the Country Director of Plan International outlined that, children are often victims of bad treatment, negative social and cultural practices, sexual abuse, and all forms of exploitation. Mr. Bien-Aimé said: “We want the media to act, protect, support, to relay and work together with Plan International for the wellbeing of the children, especially girls. It is time for the media, and journalists to give us a push at all levels. You have to help us to disseminate, and educate children and people in villages and communities wherever they could be in Cameroon.” While officially presiding over the press lunch session, Minister of women’s empowerment and the family, Pr. Marie-Therese Abena Ondoa in her keynote address stated some rights which are fundamental to the well-being of children. Minister Abena Ondoa said children have: the right to have a name, a nationality, an identity; the right to be cared for, to be protected from diseases; to have an adequate and balanced diet; the right to go to school; the right to be protected against all forms of discrimination; the right not to engage in or be subjected to war; the right to shelter, to be rescued and to have decent living conditions; the right to play and have leisure; the right to freedom of information, expression and participation; the right to have a family, to be cared for and loved; the right to protection from exploitative labour, just to name these few. Taking stock of the numerous challenges which affect children’s rights, the Minister of women’s empowerment and the family said parents and communities have a crucial role to act for the best interests of children. She seized the occasion to pin down issues such as non-registration of births which impede the country’s development and the 2030 SDGs; the recruitment of children in arm groups; children deny from schooling and those exploited at various levels. She went further to point out significant figures brought out in a recent report published by UNICEF. “265 million children around the world still do not have access to school and 250 million are directly affected by conflicts and wars, 168 million are engaged in work, half of whom are involved in dangerous work that is 85 million…” She said. Madame Abena Ondoa equally said the current insecurity environment faced in some parts of the country is a threat to children’s rights. “In Cameroon, the 10th edition of world children’s day is celebrated as it has been for several years, in a context marked by an environment of insecurity, following the atrocities of the Boko-Haram sect in the northern regions of the country and the socio-political crisis that is rocking the North-West and South-West regions.” The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) is an international agreement on childhood. Now the most ratified of all international treaties, this historic commitment to the world’s children has radically transformed young lives across the globe. Elise Kenimbeni

Secretary-General in the Ministry of Social Affairs, Beryl Itoh Panje chaired on Tuesday 22nd November 2022 in Yaounde, a meeting aimed at reviewing the strategic plan to fight against HIV/AIDS in this ministerial department. The meeting that took place on Tuesday, 22nd November 2022 in the conference hall of the ministry of social affairs brought together experts from UNICEF, the national committee for the fight against AIDS, and personnel of the host ministry. As outlined by the Secretary-General in the Ministry of Social Affairs (MINAS), the meeting that entered within the framework of the Cameroonian month for the fight against HIV/AIDS is also crucial as its falls in line with the national strategic plan of action set up by the ministry. Mrs. Panje Itoh Beryl said: « This meeting we just held enters within the framework of activities marking the celebration of the 7th edition of the Cameroonian month for the fight against HIV/AIDS and the 31st World AIDS day come December 1. At the Ministry of Social Affairs, we try to work together with our partners to evaluate and see how we can improve the visibility and performance of the social sector as our key contribution. The close two-hour working session placed under the theme: “Exigence and implication in a sectorial planning of activities for the fight against HIV/AIDS” paved the way for in-depth discussions on the 2017-2021 strategic plan of action put in place at the level of the ministry of social affairs notably for those living with disabilities. UNICEF’s representative and expert in the HIV/AIDS program, Dr. Bacha seized the occasion to praise efforts undertaken by MINAS on the field and said the Ministry has a pivotal role to play at the levels of communities, this thanks to the different partnerships signed recently with decentralized authorities and 20 councils. Secretary-General while chairing the meeting insisted on the fact the ministry which is at the service of people living with disabilities and vulnerable groups like elderly persons has been working towards an inclusive campaign. Communication has been adapted for the various target groups as she said. “We equally work with our partners to seek efficient strategies that will help us identify the various methods of intervention so that we get right to our target populations and see how we can at our level reduce this pandemic of HIV/AIDS. Peer educators trained a year ago will equally be evaluated in the course of these activities…” Mrs. Panje Itoh said. The Focal point of HIV/AIDS in the ministry, Theodore Ngue in his presentation emphasized the different communication supports that need to be adapted to people living with disabilities. Theodore Ngue said most posters designed for the campaign against HIV/AIDS are not inclusive. He said, for instance, visually impaired persons are most often left aside in the course of such communications and the role of MINAS is to make sure that such campaigns take into account all their target groups as well as to put in place initiatives that are socially inclusive. He added that the session was equally out to launch a series of activities that have been endorsed in the sectorial plan of action and to review the different challenges which are hindering the fight at the level of their department. Innovative measures have been set up to commemorate the 31st edition of World AIDS day as he said. “We have among other open doors activities that will help to sell out what we do in our sector. Through this activity, we intend to inform the public about strategies put in place at MINAS to eradicate this pandemic. On December 3, 2022, in all ten regional headquarters, we shall organize a sensitization campaign for people living with disabilities and who are highly exposed to the disease due to some hindrances.” Besides the Secretary-General, other officials of MINAS such as the Inspector General, Mr. Valentine Asongtia Foreke, the Director of social protection, Jean-Pierre Edjoa, the Chief of the communication unit, Mrs. Nathalie Dikoume, etc. Elise Kenimbeni