At launch of children’s month activities: Minister drums protection of children against violence, abuse.

This was during a ceremony to launch activities marking the 5th edition of the Cameroonian Month of the Child.

She said this year, the exercise is taking place under the theme: “Child sensitive planning and budgeting: A strategic tool for the promotion and protection of the rights of the child”. 

Several officials attended the event. Among them was the Minister of Women’s Empowerment and the Family, Prof Marie-Thérèse Abena Ondoa; a representative from of the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF; the Deputy Mayor of the Yaounde City Council and the Secretary General of the Ministry of Social Affairs. 

Minister Irene Nguene noted that the month is set aside by the government to raise awareness about children's rights and duties among stakeholders. During this period, she said activities will focus on ⁠sensitising decision-makers and communities on the importance of child-rights-sensitive budgeting and management of child-related issues. 

Interest, the member of government, said, will also be to ⁠encourage the integration of children's needs into local and national development plans.

Minister Irene Nguene said, “our children are our future. Let us protect them today against any form of violence, abuse and exploitation. Let us give them the means to be real actors and builders of a stronger future…”.

Building safe spaces for kids

She reaffirmed the commitment of the government and stakeholders to ensure a safe, prosperous and equitable environment for all children. This, she said, is in line with the Convention on the Rights of the Child and other international instruments Cameroon has endorsed.

The minister called on all to end all forms of harmful social practices such as trafficking, exploitation, abuse, negligence, exclusion and discrimination that hurt children.

The killing of six-year-old Mathis in Yaounde weeks ago, the minister said, shows there is still much to be done to protect children. The minister said since the institution of the Month in 2021, focus has been on parental, community and societal commitment to improving the living conditions of children.

She disclosed that on June 16, Cameroon will be joining the rest of the world to celebrate the 35th edition of the day of the African Child.

UNICEF assures government of support 

Speaking during the ceremony, the Representative of UNICEF, Nadine Perrault, reiterated her organisation’s commitment to support the government boost child protection.

Perault reiterated that this will be “in child-sensitive projects by strengthening budget allocation that has the greatest impact for children's development in all areas, in policy matters…”.

Appreciating this year’s theme, the UNICEF official said “when we say a budget that is sensitive to the child, it is a budget that is sensitive to all phases including education, health, nutrition, social protection, registration of licenses, and also to monitor and ensure that the investment is effective on the return of the economy”. She asserted that investing in children is investing in the future

 This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3465 of Thursday June 05, 2025