To succour vulnerable persons: Women's empowerment ministry, WFP commit to boost gender equality, food security.

The Representative and Country Director of WFP Cameroon, Gianluca Ferrera, signed for the UN agency while the Minister of Women’s Empowerment and the Family, Prof Marie Therese Abena Ondoa, signed for the ministry. 

The partnership, according to both officials, seeks to ameliorate the living conditions of women and girls in rural areas. 

Ferrera hailed Minister Abena Ondoa for her interest in the vulnerable especially women.

He said the deal “represents a solemn reaffirmation of our shared commitment to gender equality, inclusive development, and strengthening food and nutritional security for the most vulnerable populations in Cameroon”.

The WFP Cameroon boss said the deal focuses on promoting the economic empowerment of women and girls; strengthening the promotion and protection of family and children's rights.

Ferrera added that there will also be support the social empowerment of women, girls, and improve research, monitoring, and evaluation mechanisms.

“We have strengthened resilience through integrated programmes that combine food assistance, nutrition, school feeding and agricultural support,” he stated.

These joint efforts, he stated, have not only improved livelihood but also contributed to national and global advocacy platforms. 

Ferrera said this includes the country’s active participation in the Commission on the Status of Women and the celebration of International Women’s Day.

He appealed to other partners to join efforts to reinforce systems that protect and empower families and build a more inclusive society.

“Whether through financial contributions, technical expertise or policy advocacy,” the WFP official said, adding that such support “will be instrumental in bringing this vision to life and achieving tangible impact”.

Minister says focus on rural population

Minister Prof Abena Ondoa on her part said the deal prioritises the rural masses. She said given the presence of her ministry at all levels nationwide, the targeted population will benefit most. She remarked that “we work basically with women associations found in those remote areas”.

Prof Abena Ondoa said her collaborators and staff of WFP have been working in communities “in collaboration with women led-associations and structures that bring women together”.

She said there will be 122 women empowerment centres across the country where her collaborators will be updated on project specifics.

“We are talking about women, girls and school children. We are talking about the family as a whole and when there is food insecurity, it is the entire family that is at risk,” the minister underscored.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3489 of Monday June 30, 2025