Empowering women and girls affected by Boko Haram conflict in Cameroon
Official launching ceremony of the project “Protecting and empowering women and girls affected by Boko Haram conflict in Cameroon”Date:
Yaounde, December 16th, 2020.
UN Women Cameroon, have been granted support from the Catalunya Agency of Cooperation and Development, to implement the project "Protecting and empowering women and girls affected by Boko Haram conflict in Cameroon". An official launching ceremony was organized on December 16th, 2020 with the presence of the representatives of the Spainish Ambassador in Cameroon, the Ministry of Women Empowerment and the Family, the Ministry of Justice, the State Secretary of Defense in Charge of the Gendarmerie, General Delegation of National Security and the NGO “Association de lutte contre les Violences Faites aux Femmes”, and the Resident Coordinator Office.
Official launching ceremony. Photo credit: UN Women
The official launching ceremony took place at the UN Women conference room, with the aim of introducing in detail the project activities and seeking the partners suggestions and recommendations. The fruitful exchange allowed to factor partners contributions and thus, promoted the project ownership and sustainability. The project is expected to last 12 months in the Far North Region, particularly in the localities of Minawao, Makary, Goulfé and Mozogo.
While expressing her sincere gratitude for the support provides to UN Women for the benefit of vulnerable women victims of the crisis, Hind Jalal, UN Women Representative a.i in her introductory remarks thanked the Government of Catalonia “for the generous financial contribution and partnership, that made it possible to kick off this project. This grant for the project demonstrates the commitment of the Government of Catalonia to gender equality and women's empowerment as the champion of UN Women's LEAP (Leadership, Access, Empowerment and Protection in Crisis) programs implemented in more than 35 countries with focus on promoting women’s leadership, livelihoods and protection from violence in humanitarian and protracted crisis contexts. We look forward to strengthening our collaboration and partnership towards the success and sustainability of this project, which is closely aligned with the country's development priorities, including national priorities to advancing gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls”.
Regarding the situation of GBV (Gender Based Violence) in the context of the humanitarian crisis in Cameroon, the Representative a.i indicated that, women and girls have been disproportionately affected by the protracted crises and instability in the region. In the Far North region, nearly one million two hundred thousand people, or more than a quarter of the total population, need humanitarian assistance (source Humanitarian Needs Overview 2020).
Mr Daniel JUSDADO BARRIO, representative of the Embassy of Spain has magnified the partnership with UN Women which augurs a better tomorrow and renewed Spain's commitment to further support UN Women Gender equality initiatives.
All the stakeholders provided relevant inputs and suggestions on how to ensure an efficient and effective implementation of the project for the sake of the beneficiaries, both host and displaced population.
Official launching ceremony. Photo credit: UN Women