Official Launch of the 16 days campaign in Cameroon

Yaounde, November 25th, 2020, Hotel de ville : Organized by the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and the Family in partnership with UN Women Cameroon with the support of the Federal Republic of Germany, more than 400 people, including local authorities, development partners, civil Society, organizations and young people, attended the official launch of the 14th edition of the 16 Days of Activism Against Violence on Women and Girls campaign. This campaign, which contributes each year to take stock on actions to stop violence against women and girls with involvement of men and boys was celebrated this year under the baner Orange the world: fund, respond, prevent, collect !

Official launch of the campaign: Ministry of women’s Empowerment and family, UN Women Representative and partners, Photo Credit: Nelly Kamdem - UN Women

Cameroon adopted the following theme: “Orange the world: mobilize the necessary factors to alleviate the socio-economic consequences of COVID-19 on women and girls”. The objective of the campaign is to mobilize all the networks All UNiTED, the United Nations System, government partners, the civil society, schools and universities, the private sector, sports associations and individuals, to develop an inclusive approach in order to fight COVID-19 pandemic consequences on women and girls who have shown an increase of GBV cases.

The ceremony kicked off with an address of the representative of the German Embassador in Cameroon, who stressed the importance to stop violence against women and girls in Cameroon and reiterated the commitment of the Federal Republic of Germany to support the relevant actors in the promotion and guarantee of women's rights. Mrs. HIND JALAL, Representative of UN Women in Cameroon, delivered the UN Secretary General message who called for collective comitmment to end all kinds of GBV. Given the unacceptable rise of violence due to COVID-19, it is therefore necessary to intensify activities in favor of the promotion of women's and girls' rights, and to develop and implement mechanisms to stop GBV.  

In his speech, the United Nations Resident Coordination higlighted that even before COVID-19, violence against women was one of the most widespread violations of human rights, with almost 55% of women and girls experiencing GBV in Cameroon. During COVID-19, calls to violence against women helplines increased up to fivefold in the first few weeks of the pandemic. For every 3 months the lockdown continues, an additional 15 million women are expected to be affected by violence. 

In the launching address of Madam Abena Ondoa Nee Obama Marie-Therese, Minister of Women’s Empowerment and the Family, highlighted that the thematic chosen by Cameroon for this 14th National edition of the Global campaign, calls on all of us: men, women, families, communities, leaders at all levels, government officials, to develop an inclusive approach to stop Gender based violence. She thanked Professor MACHIKOU Nadine, for her lecture on violence during the pandemic and, she appreciated the courage of survivors of violence who come to testify publicly. At the end of the ceremony, Madam Abena Ondoa Nee Obama Marie-Therese, Minister of Women’s Empowerment and the Family handed in sewing machines to 12 women and girls seamstresses who are vulnerable victims of the consequences of COVID-19 pandemic.

Officials’ delegation providing sewing machines to 12 women/ girls seamstresses who are vulnerable victims of the consequences of COVID-19 pandemic. Photo Credit: Nelly Kamdem - UN Women