U.N. Women's Head Bids Farewell

The outgoing Resident Representative of the United Nations Women's Programme, (UN Women), Marie Goretti Nduwayo, has hailed steps geared towards gender equality in the socio-economic and political landscape in Cameroon. She made the revelation during a farewell dinner in her honour in Yaounde on Friday June 21, 2013.

Speaking during the occasion, Marie Goretti Nduwayo said the 20 per cent female representation at the house of the Senate is a significant factor in women's political participation in Cameroon. She said her institution has played a key role in promoting justice and democracy in Cameroon especially in respect to ensuring gender balance in the electoral lists, the economic empowerment of women, participation of women in decision-making and leadership, economic empowerment of women, elimination of violence against women and participation in planning and national budget.

On her part, the Minister of Women's Empowerment and the Family, Marie Thérèse Abena Ondoa congratulated Mrs Nduwayo for her efforts in improving the conditions of women in Cameroon notably the project for the construction of a gender-sensitive market in Kye-Ossi which is intended to improve the working conditions of women engaged in trans-border trade and also increase significantly their contribution to Cameroon's emergence by 2035. On behalf of the government, she thanked Marie Goretti Nduwayo for the achievements during her stay in Cameroon. She wished her success as she goes to her new post of duty.

After four years and five months in Cameroon, Marie Goretti Nduwayo is replaced by Najat Rochdi. She takes the same post of responsibility in Cote d'Ivoire. She will be remembered as the last Representative of UNIFEM and the first Representative of UN-Women in Cameroon. The event took place in the presence of representatives of the UN System in Cameroon, the diplomatic corps and civil society organisations.