So That Women, Girls Are Verily Empowered

The international charity, Plan International Cameroon and the National Council of Cameroon Traditional Rulers, CNCTC on Wednesday March 12, 2025 in Yaounde entered a partnership to protect the rights of women, children, the girl child and to foster education and community development. The event was chaired by a representative of the Governor of Centre Region, Mr. Djawa Emmanuel. The ceremony held in the hall of Yaounde I Subdivisional Council in Etoudi, Yaounde. 

General Public Welfare 
The event included presentations on the work of Plan International Cameroon and the National Council of Cameroon Traditional Rulers. The Fourth Deputy Mayor of Yaounde I Council expressed hope that the agreement will bring about effective change in the lives of the general public. She thanked Plan International for the initiative.  

Pooling Skills, Efforts Together 
As part of its efforts to promote sustainable development and the empowerment of rural communities, Plan International Cameroon’s partnership with the National Council of Cameroon’s Traditional Rulers was formalized by a framework agreement. The deal was justified by the desire of both parties to pool their skills and efforts to improve the living conditions of Cameroonians. The partnership agreement represents a crucial step for the harmonious and inclusive development of Cameroonian communities, with emphasis on solidarity, peace, and gender equality.

Better Programme Implementation 
By combining the resources and expertise of both institutions, the agreement will enable better implementation of programmes designed to improve the living conditions of communities. Promote norms beneficial to girls and women by placing particular emphasis on identifying and enhancing gender equality and the empowerment of girls and women.

Women, Child Rights
Both parties will work together to advocate for the rights of children and women, while strengthening the capacity of communities to manage themselves and resolve conflicts peacefully. And finally, the partnership will apply throughout Cameroon, ensuring that the benefits of the collaboration reach all communities, without distinction.

Ready Government Support 
“The partnership between Plan International Cameroon and the National Council of Cameroon Traditional Rulers on assisting women and young girls is a bold move that adds to government’s policy on social inclusion and the empowerment of vulnerable groups. As an important government partner, we are ready at all times to offer our support to Plan International,” Djawa Emmanuel pledged. 

Handling Girl Child Prejudices 
“The National Council of Cameroon Traditional Rulers, conscious of their responsibilities towards their subjects, particularly children and the girl child, found it most appropriate to support the actions and activities of Plan International Cameroon in this direction. The agreement maps out a strategy to ensure at the level of the grassroots that all prejudices children, and in particular, the girl child face with respect to their education, health, social integration … will be handled by traditional rulers in collaboration with Plan International. The agreement is win-win,” Senator Fon Chafah Isaac, Secretary General of the National Council of Cameroon Traditional Rulers, affirmed.

Crucial Role Of Natural Rulers 
According to Mohamed Bah, Plan International Cameroon Country Director, his organization promotes the rights of children and equality for girls. “Children and girls live in families and communities which have customs and traditions, and traditional rulers. To mobilise community people for our work, we must pass through traditional rulers,” Bah said. 

Hand In Glove
Noting, “This is only the beginning of a working relationship that already existed, but was not made formal. Traditional rulers will henceforth guide and direct us in our work in their communities so that it will be...