Food, Security - Chantal Biya Shows Keen Interest

During her stay in Malabo, the First Lady was kept abreast of the agricultural challenges faced by most women in Africa.

An enthusiastic crowd of Cameroonians living in Equatorial Guinea saw an ever-smiling Mrs Chantal Biya as she accompanied her husband, President Paul Biya for the just-ended 23rd African Union Summit in Malabo. During her stay in Malabo, Cameroonians and non-Cameroonians alike did not only witness the simplicity, cordiality and friendly nature of Cameroon's First Lady who was always ready to shake hands with those who wished to do so, but also the special attention she attaches to food security issues, particularly when it concerns women.

Mrs Chantal Biya could have preferred to relax upon her arrival in Malabo last Thursday June 26. But this was not the case. From the Malabo International Airport, the motorcade bearing in its stead the Presidential Couple of Cameroon cruised directly to the luxurious city of Sipopo, into the Sipopo Conference Centre for the opening of the 23rd African Union Summit which focused on agriculture and food security.

The moment Mrs Chantal Biya entered the conference hall; she immediately put on the multichannel headphone provided for the purpose of translation. Sitting around other First Ladies such as that from the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, Chad and Rwanda, Madame Biya widened her understanding and knowledge on good practices and challenges ranging from agriculture and food security, to violence against women in current emerging conflicts.

Regarding agriculture, it was noted that African women work hard but still have limited access to land, credit, information and training on new technologies which makes their work difficult. Recommending that policies and agreements regarding women's empowerment in agriculture and agribusiness through access to land, finance, mechanisation and capacity building is essential, was like an encouragement to Cameroon's First Lady who on a daily basis works to empower women in agriculture.

This is largely seen through the constant donation of equipment to rural women in the ten regions of the country by the Circle of Friends of Cameroon (CERAC), an association founded by Mrs Chantal Biya. The issue of security was not a new topic to Madame Biya given that women are greatly affected when there is insecurity in any country.

The communion, gratitude and love Cameroonians living in Equatorial Guinea showed to their First Couple, accompanied them throughout their trip until last Saturday June 28 when they left Malabo amidst shouts of joy and drumbeats from some regions in Cameroon.