We are proud to announce that we participated in a seminar on Enhancing Women and the girl child’s access to education in Cameroon, hosted by the Denis & Lenora Foretia Foundation.
The seminar brought together experts, activists and stakeholders to discuss the challenges and opportunities for improving girls’ education in Cameroon. Some of the key topics that were covered include:
– The causes and consequences of low enrollment and retention of girls in school, such as poverty, early marriage, gender-based violence, cultural norms and lack of infrastructure.
– The strategies and best practices for promoting girls’ retention in education, such as scholarships, mentorship, role models, gender-responsive curricula and teacher training.
– The benefits and barriers for encouraging more girls to pursue STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education, such as career prospects, social stereotypes, self-confidence and access to resources.
– The policies and programs for reintegrating disadvantaged girls and single mothers back to school, such as flexible learning options, childcare support, psychosocial counseling and vocational training.
– The roles and responsibilities of CSOs (civil society organizations) and communities in creating a safe and conducive environment for girls’ education, such as advocacy, awareness-raising, partnership and accountability.
We were honored to share our experiences and insights with Madam Wazeh Nicoline, the CEO of Pathways for Women’s Empowerment and Development (PaWED), a fellow NGO that works to advance women’s rights and well-being in Cameroon. We also learned a lot from the other panelists and participants who shared their perspectives and suggestions on how to improve girls’ education in Cameroon.
We believe that education is a human right and a powerful tool for transforming lives and societies. We are committed to continue working with our partners and stakeholders to ensure that every girl in Africa has access to quality education that enables her to fulfill her potential and contribute to the development of her community and country.