Faced with the explosion of violence, abuse and digital excesses that threaten Cameroonian youth, the Minister for the Promotion of Women and the Family, Marie-Thérèse Abena Ondoa née Obama, officially launched the national campaign « I protect the child everywhere, do the same », on June 30, 2026, in Yaoundé.
Statement by the Minister for the Promotion of Women and the Family on the digital campaign relating to children’s rights on June 30, 2026, in Yaoundé.
The situation is chilling, and complacency is no longer an option: a child only has one childhood, and ours is being systematically sacrificed on the altar of our collective indifference. As the school holidays begin, this period of apparent joy too often transforms into a formidable trap of vulnerability, into which predators, exploiters, and the excesses of modernity rush. Yet, a gesture, a word, a moment of vigilance can change a life. It was from the conference room of the annex building of her ministerial department that the Minister for the Promotion of Women and the Family, Abena Ondoa née Obama Marie-Thérèse, chose to sound the alarm in the lead-up to the official launch of the national digital and media campaign. In
front of an audience of social actors, the tone was solemn, devoid of any protocol artifice, carrying the voice of a Republic determined to safeguard the future of its youth.
Despite a particularly robust legal framework, marked by the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, the national assessment remains stark. The holistic and ongoing support system for young people suffers from glaring gaps that the digital transition and urban impoverishment only exacerbate daily. The Minister stated this bluntly: “Children in our country are unfortunately still victims of all kinds of violence. Current events speak for themselves. The social atmosphere is oppressive, and the facts are chilling: multifaceted violence, various forms of abuse, exploitation, including child labor, murders, early marriages, uncontrolled access to social media and inappropriate content, cybercrime, street vending… our children are in danger everywhere in our country. They are particularly vulnerable during school holidays.”
This summer vulnerability is precisely the focus of the new government strategy. Away from the structured environment of the school, young people find themselves adrift in public spaces and the dangers of the virtual world, without guidance or protection. To break this cycle, the national initiative is built around four fundamental strategic pillars. The first priority is to raise awareness among parents and families about their crucial role in protecting children. The second pillar aims to mobilize communities and social leaders to create a protective local environment. The government plan also includes strong media involvement to widely disseminate prevention and awareness messages, ultimately encouraging every citizen to adopt responsible and supportive behaviors towards children. « School holidays, a time of joy and relaxation for our children, are also a period of vulnerability, » the head of the ministerial department emphasized gravely. « Away from the classroom, children are more exposed to the risks of exploitation, violence, abuse, and sometimes even practices that jeopardize their future. » Our collective duty is to ensure that these holidays are synonymous with safety, well-being, and personal growth. This is the entire purpose of the national initiative we are launching today. As you will have understood, there is no vacation from vigilance!
For the government, this crusade goes beyond mere social assistance; it is an imperative of economic and political sovereignty. Drawing inspiration from the historic words of Kofi Annan, the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and the Family (MINPROFF) reiterates that building a just world means giving every child the chance to fully realize their potential with dignity. « We cannot stress this enough: protecting a child is protecting the future of our nation, » emphasized Abena Ondoa, née Obama Marie-Thérèse. « It is investing in a more just, more
humane, and more prosperous society. I would therefore like to make a solemn appeal: that each of us become a vigilant and committed advocate for the protection of children. It is not enough to protect one’s own child; we must also look after the children of our neighbors, our communities, and ultimately, our nations. Yes, protecting children is not an option; it is a duty! » « By concluding with a reminder that children have no defense of their own and absolutely need ours, the minister signals the start of an essential surge of patriotism. On the occasion of the 36thᵉ eedition of the Journalethe African Child, the ministereThe Ministry for the Promotion of Women and the Family breaks the code of silence and launches the national offensive « I protect the child everywhere, do the same ».
