U.S promotes empowerment of Cameroonian girls

Recently, Chargé d'Affaires Matthew D. Smith offered a key note address for 200 young women at the launching of the “Les Nanas Awards: The Courage to Dare.”

The event was held at the International Relations Institute of Cameroon (IRIC) in Yaounde and sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund.

The program, to unite Cameroonian voices for security and development through the immense talents and contributions of Cameroonian women, was organized by Ms. Fidele Djebba, a 2011 International Visitors Leadership Program alumna from the topic “Women’s Empowerment: Developing Civil Society.”

The event welcomed young women from all regions, backgrounds, and faiths to ensure unity of Cameroonian voices in resolving commonly shared challenges.

The two-day agenda empowered women and girls with leadership skills to prepare them for civic participation and engagement in their various communities. It also prepared the girls to run a three-month project of their own design in their communities.

The top 20 best projects will receive awards in April. The project also aims to build a strong network of young women leaders across the nation who will, in turn, serve as mentors to younger girls.

In his remarks, Chargé d'Affaires Smith said: “It is indeed a cause for celebration that this program - organized by Fidelle Djebba and sponsored by the U.S. Department of State - places women at the very center of our efforts to promote development.

We believe that you as participants in this program want to serve to make a difference. Make time count through your service. It is very commendable that you have welcomed this discussion on empowering women as the essential first step towards strengthening your professions and promoting real development to build a future of peace, unity, and prosperity that all Cameroonians need and deserve.

The same applies to transparency in civil society organizations. They too share that accountability to the public. How do we spend and allocate public funds, are we protecting wildlife from poachers, are we promoting human rights, are we making the right decisions at all levels? Are we investing in people?

These are good questions that all of us must be prepared to answer.

We thank IRIC once again for hosting this program, and I offer our commitment to partner with the goals and objectives established here by all participants.

I close with the message President Obama has declared and that we reaffirm here in Cameroon that no nation which seeks to advance – including the United States - can do so without welcoming the immense talents and contributions of women.

Through this program, you have welcomed the wisdom of this statement in the Cameroonian context and definition of what must be done here in your nation through your own solutions and contributions. As you embark on this journey for justice and development, the United States of America stands with you and every citizen of this majestic nation. Thank you, On est ensemble!”

Ms. Fidele Djebba is a female activist who earned a Master's Degree in Social Psychology, serves as the Executive Director of an association to protect children and women's rights in the Far North Region of Cameroon, runs an NGO called “Rayons du Soleil,” and is the publisher of a new popular young women's magazine entitled “Les Nanas” in Yaounde.