Embassy welcomes MP from visit to the USA

On October 20, the U.S. Embassy in Yaoundé welcomed Member of Parliament, the Honorable Hermine-Patricia Ndam Njoya, from her visit to the United States of America under the International Visitors Leadership Program.

Her program was titled "Women Leaders: Promoting Peace and Security,” and was held in Washington, D.C.; New York City; San Diego, California; and San Antonio and Austin, Texas from September 8 - 26, 2014.

The distinguished Member of Parliament and accomplished scholar was met by Public Affairs Officer Roberto Quiroz II, Cultural Affairs Officer Merlyn Schultz, and Cultural Affairs Specialist Gladys Viban, who lauded her for her engagement in women’s empowerment and her efforts to combat discrimination against women and girls.

“As President Obama has said, all nations which seek to develop, including the United States, must welcome the immense contributions and talents of women.

We are honored that you accepted our invitation to visit our country, and commend your leadership and dedication to join Cameroonians from all parties and sectors to promote the rights of women and girls,” Mr. Quiroz said, presenting her a book titled “Historic Maps and Scenes of New York” in appreciation for her support of the program.

The Honorable Member of Parliament lauded the program for providing her an exceptional opportunity to meet American members of congress, civil society leaders, academics, and senior government officials, including Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Linda Thomas Greenfield: “This program gave me a deeper and better understanding of the magnitude of the American people as well as the different government structures in the United States from local, state to federal levels.

I was especially pleased to establish professional ties with American colleagues, like Congresswoman Karen Bass (D-CA). All program participants found it to be a rich professional and cultural experience.” She was especially moved by her involvement in a daily patrol tour in San Antonio with a police woman which provided her firsthand experience on how the police in the United States serve and protect their citizens.

"It also was very inspiring to meet women leaders from other African countries to share our commonalities and challenges” she said. “I have come back with a new set of tools, increased awareness and a revived spirit of citizen involvement in governance and security issues.” Her plan of action includes workshops, seminars and roundtables with female members of parliament as well as a possible training program for women police officers.

The U.S. Embassy staff congratulated Honorable Hermine Ndam Njoya for her leadership and dedication. “We look forward to partnering with you on your future endeavors, and commend you for your drive to raise awareness on the rights of women and on the pressing need to have a family code in Cameroon,” Mrs. Schultz said.

Ms. Viban lauded her dedication to “empower women from a grassroots level, and commitment to partner with all Cameroonian women by valuing their differences and together promoting common goals and objectives regardless of political affiliations.”

The International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) is the U.S. Department of State’s premier professional exchange program. Through short-term visits to the United States, current and emerging foreign leaders in a variety of fields experience this country firsthand and cultivate lasting relationships with their American counterparts. Professional meetings reflect the participants’ professional interests and support the foreign policy goals of the United States.