A forum held at the Yaounde VI Women and Family Empowerement Centre brought together around 100 girls to discuss child marriage, understand its consequences and raise awareness of their rights. The meeting, organised in the wake of the 15th edition of the International Day of the Girl Child, placed girls’ protection and future at the centre of discussions.
Child marriage remains a concern for the protection of girls and the promotion of their rights. In Yaounde VI, a forum dedicated to the issue provided a platform for around 100 young girls to engage in discussions on the realities of the practice and the importance of protecting their future. The meeting was held at the Women and Family Empowerement Centre as part of activities following the 15th edition of the International Day of the Girl Child, under the theme “End child marriage and invest in girls’ rights.”
The event was chaired by Élie Bernard Nguele Meyanga, Director of Family Empowerement and Protection and Children’s Rights. Agnès Christelle Ndondock, Gender Specialist at the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and representative of the organisation’s Resident Representative, also attended, alongside officials from the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and the Family (MINPROFF) and civil society actors.
Their presence highlighted the involvement of institutional and development partners in
efforts to promote girls’ rights and address practices that can undermine their protection and opportunities.
Understanding the realities of child marriage
Two presentations formed the basis of the discussions. Dongmo Ntouba Olivia presented a practical case of child marriage, allowing participants to examine the realities of the practice and its consequences. The presentation provided a starting point for reflection on the circumstances surrounding child marriage and the challenges it poses to girls.
Mandio Anastasie, for her part, presented the girls’ agenda, highlighting issues relating to their rights and future. Together, the presentations placed the experiences and concerns of girls at the heart of the forum, while encouraging participants to consider the importance of knowing and defending their rights.
The programme also included question and answer sessions, giving the young participants opportunities to express themselves and engage with the issues raised. These exchanges were an important component of the meeting, which sought to encourage girls to become more informed about their rights and more confident in making their voices heard.
Protecting girls and their choices
Beyond the discussions, the forum emphasised the importance of recognising girls as individuals with rights, aspirations and the ability to participate in decisions affecting their lives. Access to education, protection and the freedom to shape their future were among the principles highlighted in the message promoted at the meeting.
Child marriage is not simply a question of marital status. It raises concerns about the protection of children and their ability to pursue their education and personal development. Raising awareness among girls is therefore one way of helping them understand their rights and identify situations that may threaten their well-being.
However, awareness raising alone cannot address every factor that exposes girls to early marriage. Protecting their rights also requires sustained attention from families, communities, public authorities and organisations working in child protection. The forum brought these concerns into discussion, although no specific follow-up measures or commitments were detailed in the information released about the meeting.
The gathering ended with a group photograph, marking the close of an event centred on dialogue and awareness. Its message was clear: girls should not have their futures defined by early marriage. Their rights to education, protection and choice must remain central to efforts to build a future in which they can make informed decisions about their lives.
