Auteur/autrice : TimesNews2

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

De son vrai nom Brice Kembue Tetchou, le jeune étudiant en communication des organisations a été plébiscité par les jurys et les internautes lors de la 32e édition de la finale de Mutzig Star édition 2022 qui s’est tenue le 18 novembre au centre de production de la CRTV a Mballa II, dans la cité capitale Yaoundé. Grâce à son titre « Nou Njieu njieu », Brice Legend a réussi à séduire les mélomanes avec son rythme folklorique y compris sa tenue vestimentaire. Ils étaient cinq candidats en finale mais deux d’entre eux ont capté l’attention des votants à l’instar de Brice Kembue et Laure Meke. Au finish, c’est l’étudiant en deuxième année communication des organisations qui finit par damer le pion à sa concurrente directe, grâce au vote des internautes. Stupéfait, le jeune chanteur en herbe n’en revient pas. « C’est inexplicable parce que je ne m’attendais vraiment pas, pas du tout ! Étant gagnant, je suis tellement ému. » a-t-il lancé visiblement très ému. Il a indiqué également : « je vais d’abord continuer dans la musique, à valoriser la culture camerounaise et faire l’effort de mettre cet argent au profit de la musique camerounaise. » Agé de 26 ans, le vainqueur de Mutzig star 2022 remporte la somme de cinq millions de francs CFA, plus un contrat d’un an pour la production et la promotion de son album. Le numéro un, Brice Legend est suivi par Laure Meke qui empoche deux Millions de francs CFA (2.000.000FCFA), la troisième, Rose Yako Njoh remporte la somme d’Un Million Cinq Cent Mille francs CFA(1.500.000FCFA), la quatrième, Flora Madeleine Bokengue empoche la somme d’Un Million de francs CFA(1.000.000FCFA) et Massai Pueugueu classe en cinquième position à la somme de Sept Cent Cinquante Mille francs CFA(750.000FCFA). Cette autre édition riche en couleurs et pleine d’innovations a rendu son verdict final en faveur de Brice Legend, qui succède à Jean Léopold Bitom vainqueur de l’édition Mutzig Star 2021.   Ayouba Nsangou

In order to wrap up the month-long celebration of the 2022 international day of the girl child coupled with its 10th anniversary, Plan International Cameroon organized a girls’ takeover activity in the ministry of external relations on Wednesday, 16th November 2022. Marie-Rose Atangana Bella, a 16-year- old student at the Okola technical high school situated in the outskirts of Yaounde, precisely in the Lekie division of the Center region of Cameroon has been chosen by Plan International as the 2022 Girls Takeover champion to fill in the shoes of Director of the United Nations and decentralized cooperation in the Ministry of External Relations. The female student mentored by Plan International Cameroon was welcomed in Yaounde by Mr. Bien-Aimé Johnson, Country Director, and later on in the office of the Director of the United Nations and decentralized cooperation, His Excellency Ebenezer Mouandjo where she held a meeting with her various collaborators. Marie-Rose for close to 30 minutes reviewed files of the ongoing COP-27 taking place in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt; current issues at the department of the United Nations and decentralized cooperation and ended discussions with the Girls Takeover initiative. The young student studying food and nutrition in the class of “Premiere”, francophone sub-system education was warmly applauded for her dynamism and bravery, as she was able to play the role of director with a lot of serenity. As one of those championing the rights of the girl child in Cameroon notably in her community, Marie-Rose said this exercise was of great importance for her who believes in female leadership. His Excellency Ebenezer Mouandjo, Director of the United Nations and decentralized cooperation said: “My impressions are really great because to be the representative of the Minister of external relations in this occasion gives me the opportunity to portray the strong commitment of the ministry alongside the government as a whole in order to point out the advocacy of the girls’ right in our country. And as recalled during the discussion that we are celebrating this year the 10th anniversary of this day of the girl child and so ten years ago the United Nations took that commitment to work with Member States to foster and promote the rights of the girl child…” The Diplomat equally praised the bravery of the young girl who to him is a good example of female empowerment and clearly shows the need to invest in the girl child. The Department of the United Nations and decentralized cooperation in the Ministry of External Relations is a broad office that has among others duties: relations between Cameroon and the United Nations; the coordination of multilateral cooperation between Cameroon and the United Nations System, in liaison with the other administrations concerned; the monitoring of activities and programs of the United Nations bodies and its specialized agencies; maintaining and updating the file of United Nations bodies and its specialized agencies; maintaining and updating the file of United Nations Member States; monitoring cooperation with decentralized entities, non-governmental organizations, and civil society organizations; research and exploitation of employment opportunities with a view to Cameroonian access to the UN Public Service and the periodic evaluation of Cameroon’s cooperation with the United Nations. Taking part in this Girls’ takeover activity was equally the staff of Plan International Cameroon led by Mr. Fagnon Paul, Head of Programs who represented the Country Director. Girls Takeover Initiative The initiative launched worldwide in 2016 by Plan International is a call to action for radical social and political change to tear down barriers of discrimination and prejudice that continue to hold girls back. Plan International equally states that, through this exercise, hundreds of girls step into the roles of leaders for a day to demand equal power, freedom, and representation for girls and young women. Through the Girls Takeover, young girls occupy spaces where they are rarely seen or heard, making it clear they have the right to be there without being silenced or ignored. Elise Kenimbeni

C’était au cours d’un atelier de briefing des médias sur le cancer du sein et le respect de l’approche handicap dans le traitement de l’information relative à la sensibilisation. Cet atelier de briefing de médias sur le cancer du sein et le respect de l’approche handicap dans le traitement de l’information relative à la sensibilisation s’est tenu le vendredi 11 novembre 2022 à Nkolanga, située dans la région du Centre Cameroun.  Ledit atelier de briefing a permis aux participants venus des médias publics et privés, des ministères des affaires sociales, de la santé publique et des organisations de la société civile d’être plus outillés sur le type de contenus, de messages et de langage à utiliser afin d’accentuer la sensibilisation sur le cancer du sein chez les filles et femmes qui vivent avec un handicap. Pour cette rencontre qui s’inscrit dans le cadre d’une collaboration entre le Ministère des affaires sociales, le Ministère de la santé publique et le Fonds des Nations Unies pour la population (UNFPA), il était question de célébrer le mois de lutte contre le cancer du sein dénommé : « Octobre Rose » en faisant la part belle aux jeunes filles et femmes vivants avec un handicap au Cameroun. Dans la phase introductive de l’atelier, les femmes de médias et autres participants ont été éclairés sur l’état de lieu de cette maladie qui affecte de plus en plus les femmes au Cameroun. Les spécialistes du programme national de lutte contre le cancer (PNLCC) ont présenté les causes, la situation épidémiologique ainsi que les tranches d’âges les plus touchées tout en insistant sur le fait que la palpation mammaire, l’auto-examen des seins, les dépistages sont mieux indiqués comme voies de prévention primaire. De la présentation faite par les experts du PNLCC, il en ressort que : « Aujourd’hui, dans le monde, le cancer du sein est le cancer le plus fréquent chez la femme.Une femme sur 8 aura un cancer du sein dans sa vie. 75% des cancer du sein surviennent après l’âge de 50ans. Ce qui fait la différence de 25% avant 50ans, soit 10% avant 40ans. Il faut signaler que le cancer du sein peut survenir chez un sujet de sexe masculin, mais cette situation reste exceptionnelle. » Toutefois, des présentations faites par les experts du PNLCC, il est important de mettre un accent sur les facteurs alimentaires et style de vie. Il est question entre autres de : limiter, la consommation d’alcool, de pratiquer des activités physiques, de manger sain et surtout de respecter l’allaitement maternel qui est très protecteur. Dr Yaya, l’un des experts a souligné le fait que la pratique constamment des rapports sexuels est un facteur protecteur également. Selon Madame Dikoume Nathalie, Chef de la cellule de communication du Ministère des affaires sociales, l’accès à l’information pour les personnes en situation de handicap est un enjeu majeur de santé publique car au Cameroun, les personnes handicapées sont estimées à près de deux millions neuf cent mille (2.910 000). Et tout comme des personnes normales, les personnes vivants (PVH) avec handicaps ont droit à la bonne information. La loi du 13 Avril 2020 portant sur la promotion et la protection des PVH le stipule. Nathalie Dikoume a indiqué que : « Le Ministère des Affaires Sociales, en charge de la promotion et de la protection des droits des Personnes Socialement Vulnérables, associe les femmes handicapées dans cette campagne. Les femmes handicapées constituent une catégorie à besoins spécifiques ! Elles sont plus exposées encore en raison de leur vulnérabilité naturelle. Pour les femmes handicapées moteurs, elles ont des difficultés à se déplacer vers les lieux de dépistage. En ce qui concerne les femmes handicapées auditives, elles sont souvent exclues des campagnes car non exposées aux messages diffusés. Pourtant, elles devraient prendre des dispositions préventives contre cette maladie (les dépistages).Il est donc question d’impliquer les hommes et femmes de média, dans le processus de sensibilisation en renforçant leurs capacités pour les inciter à faire une communication inclusive autour de la question… » Les participants présents à cet atelier ont également été capacités sur la communication signée sous formes théorique et pratique. Un exercice conduit par Phillipe Bonguen, expert en communication Signée et en braille. Il a outillé les femmes de médias sur les différents contenus et messages qui sont nécessaires pour une communication inclusive. De cette belle formation en langue de signes, il en découle également que les PVH qui sont pour la plupart mis en retrait dans des programmes radios, TV et même en presse-écrite ont un langage spécifique et des images appropriées à leur communication. La lutte contre certaines maladies à l’instar du cancer du sein qui affectent les populations ne saurait être vaincue si les personnes vivants avec handicaps ne sont pas prises en compte. Le Ministère des affaires sociales à travers son Chef de departement, la Ministre Pauline Irène Nguene, soucieux de toutes les populations vulnérables continue à implémenter les politiques gouvernementales et même internationales dans le but d’atteindre les objectifs de développement durable à l’horizon 2030. Elise Flore Kenimbeni

The brave and hardworking female Coordinator of Bridgers Association in Cameroon was crowned recently in the United States by the International Alliance for Women. Azah Jackline Chey, Coordinator of Bridgers Association in Cameroon recently received the World of Difference Award, WODA attributed to her by the International Alliance for Women based in Washington DC, USA. The award ceremony that took place in Washington DC on October 21st, 2022 is in recognition of her outstanding contributions in the area of economic empowerment of women in Cameroon under the Non-Profit Category. The Coordinator of the Bridgers Association who keeps striving for impactful results with her organization is an inspiration to many grassroots women and girls in Cameroon where most of their activities are implanted and even beyond thanks to her experience in the domain. The WODA prize as international recognition, therefore, comes as a great encouragement to catapult her enthusiasm and that of her entire team. In her words of thanks, Mrs. Azah Chey Jackline said: “We are particularly grateful to all our partners; beneficiaries; volunteers, and interns, this would not have been possible without you!” About TIAW The International Alliance for Women, TIAW is a global charitable foundation dedicated to the economic empowerment and advancement of women all over the globe. TIAW is committed to an “inclusive economy”, uniting, supporting, and promoting women and their chosen networks across all continents, which in turn supports and strengthens the global economic fabric. Celebrating its 39th anniversary in 2019, TIAW was founded in 1980 in Baltimore, Maryland, USA as the National Alliance of Professional and Executive Women’s Networks, and grew from a small but passionate group in the USA, to a worldwide organization group of professional women who united to support the economic empowerment and advancement of women. TIAW is international, representing women and networks from all continents. TIAW is organized as a 501(c)3 foundation in the USA. Bridgers Association as a key player in Cameroon Since 2016, Bridgers Association is a registered non-profit organization based in Yaounde, Cameroon’s nation capital, and with operations nationwide. Bridgers Association has as key mission, that to empower women and girls in order to create an environment where women and men enjoy equity, contribute and benefit as equal partners without any barriers. The association has the following major programs: women’s Entrepreneurship/Agribusiness; quality education for the girl child; leadership Development/Volunteerism; the water, sanitation, and hygiene programs known as WASH; sexual reproductive health and rights and health awareness. Timesnews2.info & Bridgers Association’s Communication