Several hundred people, mostly women, marched through central Yaoundé on 10 October at the call of the Ministry of Women and Family Affairs (Minproff), ahead of the 15th International Day of the Girl celebrated on 11 October. Wearing black and white T-shirts and carrying placards, participants set off from the central post office and wound their way along Avenue Kennedy, Montée Anne-Rouge, the Ministry of External Relations, Warda crossroads and the Prime Minister's services roundabout before finishing on Boulevard du 20 Mai.
The slogan on the T-shirts read: "Let's end child marriage and invest in girls' rights." Minproff organised the awareness walk to push communities to better protect adolescents, uphold their rights and fight early marriage.
Minister Marie-Thérèse Abena Ondoa joined the march alongside UNICEF resident representative in Cameroon Nadine Perrault. The minister said the initiative was a reminder that girls need a supportive environment in which to grow. "She must be listened to, she must be loved, she must be respected by everyone," Abena Ondoa said, adding that protecting their rights allows them to take part in building the nation.
UNICEF is backing the initiative. Valentina Oloumé, an adolescent development and participation specialist with the organisation, said the mobilisation is part of ongoing efforts with the government to advance girls' rights.
