UNDP Cameroon Launches Campaign For Gender Equality

By Walter Wilson Nana

One of the three African flag bearers to the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France, the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon, in the sidelines of Nigeria’s Super Falcons and South Africa’s Banyana Banyana, have appealed and made a pledge for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women in sports and other domains.

They made the request during the signing of the Sustainable Development Goals, SDG, Ball recently at the CAF training Center in Mbankomo, Yaounde, prior to their departure for the world football tournament via Spain, where they continue with their preparations.

The event was organised by the United Nations Development Program, UNDP Cameroon, in collaboration with the Ministry of Sports and Physical Education and the Cameroon Football Federation, FECAFOOT, represented by the President, Seidou Mbombo Njoya.

“The aspirations of everyone should be taken into consideration for a win-win partnership and the fight against all forms of inequalities”, declared the team captain of the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon, Christine Manie.

Jean Luc Stalon, Resident Representative of UNDP Cameroon, told the Indomitable Lionesses; “We consider Gender equality at UNDP as an objective and at the same time, a development strategy”. The UNDP Executive indicated; “We want to use this huge opportunity to advocate for gender equality and the Empowerment of Women in Cameroon and across the world”.

The Minister of Sports and Physical Education, Prof. Narcisse Mouelle Kombi lauded UNDP Cameroon for the initiative. He described the solemn event as “strategic”, adding that gender equality and the Empowerment of women is key to Cameroon’s development objectives.

The SDG ball signed by all the players of the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon will be taken to France, during which UNDP will organise a side event around the Female World Cup competition to bring a lot more visibility and awareness around Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment.