At Yaounde workshop: MINAT boss drums inclusion of women in traditional councils.

Atanga Nji further encouraged and assured female traditional rulers of his ministry’s continuous support towards their causes.

He made the call at a national workshop to mobilise stakeholders for a systematic inclusion of female notables in traditional chiefdoms in Cameroon.

The workshop was organised in Yaounde on August 27 and 28, by the Association of Women and Girls of the Adamawa, known by its French abbreviation AFFADA.

Minister Paul Atanga Nji was accompanied by the Governor of the Centre Region, Naseri Paul Bea, and the Senior Divisional Officer of Mfoundi, Emmanuel Djikdent.

Speaking at the event, the minister underscored that it is important that women are part of traditional institutions.

“The intention is to reinforce the participation of women in traditional rule. We are for that and there is no restriction as far as traditional rule is concerned,” Minister Atanga Nji assured AFFADA women.

“I will be a messenger for your Association, telling all traditional rulers that wherever there is a possibility they should not hesitate to let women have a position of authority, because we need women among traditional rulers who are close to the administration,” he added. 

The MINAT boss further lauded the initiative, pointing out that the workshop will help government policy as it fosters a gender approach to local governance.

“I know the challenges you face as we have been closely following what your Association is doing. I want to assure you that whenever you have difficulties you can come to us and we will try as much as possible to resolve your problems,” Minister Atanga Nji stated.

He concluded by commending the traditional rulers present for accompanying the women and called on them to take into consideration the plea of the women.

Enter AFFADA President

Speaking to the press, the President of AFFADA, François Bala, expressed gratitude to the Minister of Territorial Administration for his continuous support. 

She revealed that the main aim of their gathering is to plead with traditional Chiefs and Fons to also appoint women as notables in their councils.

Bala added that they are also advocating the Decree organising traditional chiefdoms to take this gender approach into account. 

“The Decree is not restrictive but in its application, we realised that generally Chiefs and Fons are more comfortable appointing just men, but we know that women too have a contribution in traditional rule. We are advocating this decree to be revised and a gender approach specified in its execution,” Bala stated.

According to her, Article 6 of this Decree No. 77/245 of 15 July 1977 to organise traditional Chiefdoms in Cameroon as amended and supplemented by Decree No. 2013/332 of 13 September 2013, states that traditional rulers can nominate and appoint five notables, however, most of the notables are usually men.