Generation Equality Campaign for Women and Girls in Mboma

A Vision for Change

Ms. Caryn Dasah leads this initiative. She is a passionate Generation Equality Leader and a member of the Generation Equality Youth Task Force. Her commitment to social justice drives her to take action in Cameroon. The campaign began in Garoua and Mora, areas affected by armed conflict, where violence against women and girls often escalates. The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened existing inequalities, highlighting the need for grassroots engagement.

Bringing Communities Together

The event in Mboma fostered community involvement. Participation was limited to 50 women due to health guidelines, but the impact was profound. Sessions introduced participants to the Generation Equality campaign’s core concepts, including its six action coalitions and the Compact on Women, Peace, Security, and Humanitarian Action. This interactive format encouraged attendees to ask questions and share their experiences.

Understanding the Generation Equality Campaign

The Generation Equality campaign is a global initiative led by UN Women. It aims to advance women’s rights worldwide. This campaign builds on principles established by the Beijing Platform for Action in 1995—a landmark agenda that outlined strategic actions for empowering women and girls. While progress has been made, significant challenges remain. Today, no country has achieved full gender equality.

Key Objectives of the Campaign

The Generation Equality campaign focuses on several critical objectives:

• Equal Pay: Advocating for equal wages for equal work.
• Shared Responsibilities: Promoting fair distribution of unpaid care work.
• Ending Violence: Committing to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls.
• Healthcare Access: Ensuring healthcare services meet women’s needs.
• Political Participation: Encouraging women’s active involvement in political decision-making.

The six action coalitions driving this campaign include:

1. Gender-Based Violence
2. Economic Justice and Rights
3. Bodily Autonomy and Sexual Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR)
4. Feminist Action for Climate Justice
5. Technology and Innovation for Gender Equality
6. Feminist Movements and Leadership
    

Inspiring Local Champions

During the Mboma event, participants expressed eagerness to advocate for gender equality within their communities. Ms. Dasah emphasized involving young people—both girls and boys—as well as decision-makers in promoting women’s rights throughout Cameroon.“We envision launching the Generation Equality campaign across all ten regions of Cameroon,” she stated passionately. “Our goal is for young people to actively advocate for equality in leadership, education, workplaces, and beyond.”

Practical Support Initiatives

To support young women in Mboma, Hope Advocates Africa organized a pad drive that provided sanitary towels to participants. This initiative addressed a crucial need for menstrual hygiene management while marking a significant conclusion to the Generation Equality Champion activities in the region.

Conclusion

Hope Advocates Africa’s localization of the Generation Equality campaign ensures that women and girls in Cameroon are heard and engaged in shaping their futures. Through education, community involvement, and practical support initiatives like sanitary product distribution, this campaign lays the groundwork for a more equitable society where gender equality becomes a reality.By fostering dialogue among diverse stakeholders—governments, civil society organizations, youth activists—we can work together toward a future where every woman and girl can thrive without fear or limitation. Together, we can create a world where gender equality is not just an aspiration but an achievable goal for all—a world where everyone enjoys equal rights and opportunities to succeed.