Pan-African Girls’ Movement: Over 1,000 Girls To Benefit

A n initiative seeking to empo­ wer adolescent girls with knowledge, skills and confi­ dence to take control of their lives has been launched in Cameroon for the first time. The Pan-African Ado­ lescent Girls Movement, sponsored by the Graça Machel Trust and imple­ mented in Cameroon by Women for a Change Cameroon, was officially launched on Friday, September 11. The initiative targets adolescent girls aged 10 to 19 and young wo­ men between 20 and 26. It seeks to equip them with the tools to deve­ lop their talents, challenge social, economic and political norms that constrain their development and be­ come active contributors to their communities. During the launching ceremony on Friday September 11, the Pro­ gramme Officer for Adolescent Girls’ Movement at the Graça Machel Trust in South Africa, Dalrée de Lange, said the programme is built on the prin­ ciple that girls should be at the cen­ tre of decisions affecting their lives. “The programme came from the ado­ lescent girls themselves. They were the ones who said they wanted so­ mething for themselves”, she explai­ ned. Cameroon becomes the 15th African country to host the move­ ment, which already has “nests” in 14 countries. The expansion is ex­ pected to strengthen the initiative’s presence in Central Africa, particu­ larly in communities affected by conflict and other vulnerabilities. The movement hopes to be present in 16 African countries by the end of 2026. She further revealed that the programme covers issues including sexual and reproductive health and rights, gender-based violence, HIV and AIDS, teenage pregnancy, early marriage and menstrual hygiene. Participants will equally receive trai­ ning in entrepreneurship, leadership, education, climate change, food se­ curity, conflict resolution, policy change and advocacy. In Cameroon, the pilot phase is ex­ pected to reach more than 1,000 girls by December 2026. According to the CEO of Women for a change Cameroon, Dr Zonziwoh Mbondgulo, beneficiaries will be identified through nominations, r...