“One Girl Mentored, Many Inspired”: UNICEF, Government Turn Girls' Potentials Into Strategic Mentorship

On the afternoon of May 13, 2026, the atmosphere in Yaoundé was charged with an electric sense of possibility. It was a day where data met destiny. The graduation of the first and second cohorts of the “Ma Cota” mentorship programme was not merely a formal government ceremony; it was a manifesto for the future of the Cameroonian girl-child.
Under the banner of “One girl mentored, many inspired,” 162 individuals - comprising 81 meticulously paired mentors and mentees - celebrated the conclusion of a six-month journey that has fundamentally altered the social landscape of the capital and beyond.

Why “Ma Cota”?
The “Ma Cota” initiative, a flagship project of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in collaboration with the Government of Cameroon, was born out of a stark necessity. During initial grassroots consultations, young girls across Cameroon expressed a recurring grievance: they felt invisible. They cited a lack of safe spaces, a dearth of accessible role models, and a systemic exclusion from the rooms where decisions are made.

To Serve As Bridge
Nadine Perrault, the UNICEF Representative for Cameroon, explained that the programme was designed to be a bridge. "What motivated the programme? It was the girls themselves," she stated to Cameroon Tribune Online after. "They said they didn’t have opportunities to participate. They needed role models. 'Ma Cota' was built to encourage self-esteem and create a direct line between the current leaders of industry and the leaders of tomorrow."
By pairing girls with female CEOs, medical doctors, government ministers, and private sector pioneers, the programme sought to demystify success. It aimed to prove that leadership is not an innate trait reserved for a select few. But a set of skills - courage, discipline, and audacity - that can be transferred from one generation to the next.

Strategic Success 
In a world often moved by sentiment, the “Ma Cota” graduation was anchored in rigorous evaluation. The statistical outcomes of the "Ma Cota" programme reveal a high level of engagement and success across its first and second cohorts.

A total of 162 participants took part in the cycle, consisting of 81 strategically paired mentors and mentees. The feedback from these participants was overwhelmingly positive: 87% of the mentors expressed high appreciation for the level of participation shown by their mentees, while 85% of the mentees reported a positive overall assessment of their experience in the programme.

Palpable Results
Beyond general satisfaction, the programme delivered tangible results toward specific development targets. 71% of the pairs successfully achieved at least two-thirds of their predetermined strategic goals. Furthermore, the practical value of the mentorship was confirmed by the fact that 97% of the mentees found the advice provided by their mentors to be exceptionally useful for their personal and professional growth.

This shift in perspective was reflected in the mentees' confidence levels, with 87% reporting that they felt significantly more motivated and self-assured as a result of the mentorship.

Intergenerational Learning
One of the most humanizing aspects of the report was the transparency regarding challenges. While 65% of mentees submitted their progress reports on time, only 48% of mentors managed to do the same.
The reason? A technological divide. Many of the mentors, distinguished women in the peaks of their careers, struggled with the digital reporting platforms. In a beautiful irony that defines the spirit of "Ma Cota," it was often the mentees who taught their mentors how to navigate the software. This dynamic transformed the hierarchy into a true partnership, proving that while the mentor provides wisdom, the mentee provides the tools for modern relevance.

Voices From The Frontlines
The most stirring moments of the ceremony came from the young women who had undergone the "Ma Cota" metamorphosis. Their testimonies turned the abstract concept of "empowerment" into a living, breathing reality.

Audacity Of Andréa Ményé
Andréa Ményé, a member of the first cohort, became the face of the programme’s success. She addressed the assembly with a poise that betrayed her former self. "Six months ago, I was a young girl who doubted almost everything," Andréa confessed. "I wondered what a girl standing barely 1.6 meters tall and weighing 55 kilos could accomplish in a society that views us as vulnerable."
Through the guidance of her mentor, Mrs. Anastasie Mandjio, Andréa realized that her dreams were "heavier than her weight." She didn't just gain confidence; she gained a career. During the programme, Andréa completed training in public speaking and is now a certified oratory coach. She also launched the Mindful Path Planner, a tool for disciplined living. Her transformation was so radical that Nadine Perrault noted there was "no comparison" between the girl who first walked into the UNICEF office and the woman standing before the Ministers this May 13, 2026.

Holistic Growth Of Cécile Taylor
For Cécile Taylor, a member of the second cohort, the impact was multi-dimensional. Mentored by Mrs. Ndie, Cécile focused on three specific pillars: academic excellence, personal growth, and family communication.
"She helped me work with discipline and stop doubting my potential," Cécile said. Her testimony highlighted a crucial point: mentorship isn't just about business; it’s about the "family level." By improving communication within her home, Cécile created a stable environment that allowed her academic and personal life to flourish. "Even if the programme ends today," she declared, "Mrs. Ndie remains my mentor for life."

Mentor’s Perspective
Mrs. Anastasie Mandjio, speaking on behalf of the mentors, described the experience as a "human encounter" and an "alliance between experience and ambition." She was candid about the difficulties faced during the six-month cycle. "Between our absences for professional reasons, the financial difficulties of some mentees, and conflicting schedules, this was not easy," Mandjio admitted. However, the mentors remained steadfast, driven by the conviction that "a guided girl is a transformed future."
She addressed the mentees with a final, stirring charge: "Mentorship has given you the key, but it is up to you to open the door. Even those that seem closed - be bold." This "contract with the future" implies that the responsibility now shifts to the mentees to utilize the social capital they have acquired.

Government Commitment 
The presence of two cabinet female ministers was indication the Cameroonian government is prepared to move beyond rhetoric.

The Minister of Social Affairs
Minister Pauline Irene Nguene hailed the discipline and openness of the youth. She framed the “Ma Cota” programme as a vital investment in the nation’s social fabric. "Youth are not just carriers of hope; they are a force capable of transforming society when they are valued," she stated. She called for a standing ovation for UNICEF, recognizing the agency’s role in creating a "space of confidence" that functioned as more than just a training framework - it was a sanctuary for self-discovery.

MINPROFF
The Minister of Women’s Empowerment, Prof. Marie-Thérèse Abena Ondoa confirmed that her ministry, MINPROFF, has agreed to institutionalize “Ma Cota.” "We will continue to work together so that 'Ma Cota' becomes a national programme led by MINPROFF," the Minister announced. This means the programme will be scaled up to all regions of Cameroon. Ensuring that girls in rural areas have the same access to high-level mentorship as those in Yaoundé.
The Minister's speech was deeply personal. She referred to the mentees as her "little girls" and noted that the benefits of the programme were mutual. "I believe the benefit is on both sides... a lifelong bond has been sealed." She called for a "renewed commitment" from the private sector and other institutions to join this movement, emphasizing that supporting “Ma Cota” is a direct investment in a more inclusive and prosperous Cameroon.

Scaling "Ma Cota" Impact
As the first two cohorts exit the formal programme, the focus shifts to sustainability and expansion. Nadine Perrault noted that the programme is already being implemented in Bertoua in the East region and Maroua in the Far North Region, but the goal is total national coverage.
The "Ma Cota" model proves that seeing a female CEO or Minister up close makes that career path tangible for a young girl. Public speaking, self-confidence, and discipline are the "invisible" tools that drive visible economic and social results. In a rapidly changing world, the wisdom of the elders and the digital fluency of the youth must be synchronized.

Legacy Of Inspiration
The ceremony concluded with a call for the graduates to become "mentors in training" themselves. As Andréa Ményé apt...