The 15th edition of the International Day of the Girl was launched in Yaoundé, Cameroon, with a strong call to end child marriage and invest in girls' rights. The event, presided over by Minister of Women's Empowerment and Family, Marie-Thérèse Abena Ondoa, brought together various stakeholders, including representatives from Unicef, Unesco, and Plan International Cameroon. The launch marked a significant moment in the country's efforts to address the issue of child marriage.
The event featured a display of t-shirts with messages such as "Protect our girls, it's not an option, it's our duty" and "Let's end child marriage, invest in girls' rights." These messages resonated with the theme of the day, which is to raise awareness about the importance of protecting girls from early marriage. According to the 2018 Demographic and Health Survey, 29.8% of women aged 20-24 were married or in union before the age of 18.
The Adamaoua, East, Far North, and North regions are among the most affected by child marriage in Cameroon. Minister Abena Ondoa described child marriage as a cultural practice that has a significant impact on the violation of children's rights. She emphasized the need for communities to be sensitized to the dangers of child marriage and for collective action to be taken to prevent it.
The launch of the International Day of the Girl also marked the beginning of a process to finalize the National Agenda for Girls, which is expected to be completed in December. The agenda is based on consultations with 5,600 girls from across the country, who expressed their concerns and expectations. The document will be presented nationally in January 2027.
The International Day of the Girl is celebrated annually on October 11, and this year's theme is "End child marriage, invest in girls' rights." The day provides an opportunity for stakeholders to reflect on the challenges faced by girls and to take action to address them. In Cameroon, the day is seen as a call to action to protect girls from early marriage and to invest in their education and well-being.
Minister of Youth and Civic Education, Mounouna Foutsou, was also present at the launch event, which was held at the National Museum in Yaoundé. The event brought together various stakeholders, including government officials, civil society organizations, and international partners. The launch marked a significant moment in the country's efforts to address the issue of child marriage and to promote girls' empowerment.
The government of Cameroon has pledged to take concrete action to end child marriage and to invest in girls' rights. The launch of the International Day of the Girl marked a significant step in this direction, with a call to action to protect girls from early marriage and to promote their education and well-being. The country's efforts to address child marriage will be closely watched by stakeholders, both locally and internationally.
Key points
- The 15th edition of the International Day of the Girl was launched in Yaoundé, Cameroon, with a call to end child marriage and invest in girls' rights.
- 29.8% of women aged 20-24 in Cameroon were married or in union before the age of 18, according to the 2018 Demographic and Health Survey.
- The National Agenda for Girls is expected to be finalized in December and presented nationally in January 2027.
