Social Promotion and Empowerment of Marginalised Young Women in Cameroon

Cameroon

The project implementation was highly satisfactory and activities were executed according to the initial plans. This project aimed to help women in Cameroon to escape poverty and acquire an entrepreneurship mentality and the self-assurance that "they can". This included construction of a permanent social development center in Obili - Yaoundé (Cameroon) as well as providing training in work and business skills to facilitate the insertion of young women in the labour market. In addition, the center of social promotion carried out development activities in rural areas or in very poor neighbourhoods. This project also focused on strengthening the capacity of the local NGOs. During the first year of the project, the new locals for the training center were built and are available (classrooms, study room activities rooms, library, computer atelier, didactic material reproduction area, sanitary installations, in 528m2). The quality and functionality obtained are very satisfactory. During the second year, training activities for young women, the volunteer trainers and two social promotion actions in favour of youths and rural women were developed. Capacity building on work and business skills proposed in the new center benefit 314 young women, all very satisfied. It was an occasion to spread enterprise culture and reinforce personal initiative. Among them, 48 received a complementary training and put in action two social networks in favour of disadvantaged rural women and youths. The two social promotion actions benefited about 230 rural women and 2000 youths. They reinforced basic work capacities and life-skills, which help to ameliorate their income and their lives. An average of more than 90% youths highly appreciated the Network CCWC. They had an excellent opportunity and help to open the mind, improve their results in school, be aware of the importance to think and prepare them to future and realise their responsibility towards society. The Forum counted with more than 150 participants: human resources of associations, women’s groups, ONGs, local authorities, ministries, university professors, students, young professionals. They shared experiences, discover new horizons and become motivated to ameliorate their work. The interaction between older professionals and new generation was also very positive. The Forum took place under the Patronage of the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and the Family and was covered by the national Television and the radio, which amplified its contents to a large auditory. The experiences collected during the project and shared lead to some recommendations in order to contribute to alleviate poverty and foster development in the country. Cameroon is a young country (only 54 years of independence) and its population is young (56% has less than 20 years old), to invest in educational structures is a real contribution for development and a way to create local alternatives for immigration. After the end of the project, the center will continue to offer work and business skills training oriented to employment or self-employment, promoting participation in civil society and social actions to help women, youth and children very poor to improve their situation. With the success of the project, APF is planning to reply it in Doula, another city in Cameroon.