At documentary film screening in Yaounde: Swiss Embassy highlights role of young women in dev't.

It was attended by the Swiss Ambassador to Cameroon, H.E Natalie Kohli; the Minister of Labour and Social Security, Gregoire Owona; the Rector of the Catholic University of Central Africa, Rev Prof Thomas Bienvenu Tchoungui; Bishops, diplomats, officials from FECAFOOT, and other government officials. 

The documentary, it shoould be said, was produced by the Swiss Embassy, from the Kicking and Screaming project which was carried out by Sarah Imsand. 

The screening was to celebrate the success of two sisters, Kevine Ossol and Fortune Mbitounou, in their football career and recognise the role in promoting women’s participation in development. 

Swiss Ambassador, Natalie Kohli, said the screening was an opportunity to jointly reflect on fundamental issues that go beyond the sporting framework, the place of young women in society, their access to careers traditionally considered masculine, and the possibilities that sports can offer in terms of empowerment.   

The Kicking and Screaming project, she said, seeks to delve into the way young women invest in a space still largely associated with men, negotiate social norms, and build their place in society.   

“Because football is a space for learning, self-affirmation, and confrontation with social instances, for the young women who practice it, it represents the opportunity to make their voices heard, to develop their autonomy, and to broaden the horizons that open up to them,” Kohli said. 

She added that football occupies an important place in society, and Switzerland like Cameroon shares the passion.

“Beyond trophies and sports performances, the development of women's sport is also a matter of equal opportunity. It is about allowing girls to access the pitch, benefit from quality supervision, and have the same opportunities to progress and fulfill their ambitions,” the diplomat said. 

Kohli added that Switzerland and Cameroon remind us that women's football deserves support, investment, and collective commitment. This, she said, is because when a young girl plays, progresses, and overcomes her barriers, it is society as a whole that benefits. 

The diplomat disclosed that the film invites the population to discover the reality of Cameroonian women's football with its challenges, its hopes, and its perspectives. 

Expressing joy for the victory of the Women's African Cup of Nation, this year, she said the moments are full of lessons and inspiration for all.

She said the victory indicates a new generation of girls who can achieve their dreams, and who can also start careers that perhaps previously seemed closed to them. 

Hard work secret to success

On his part, the Minister of Labour and Social Security, Gregoire Owona, reminded youth that the only secret to success is hard work. He cautioned young people not to confuse “success and money”.

He called on university students in particular to make good use of knowledge and skills acquired in school in their fields of work after graduating. 

Enter UCAC Rector  

The Rector of UCAC said football has global interest and increasingly, women have demonstrated their willingness to exit marginality and acquire themselves spots in Cameroon football scene. 

He said women's football was popularized around the year 1990, and received popular recognition with the participation of the Indomitable Lionesses at the Africa Cup of Nations in 1991. 

The Rector added that women's football in Cameroon now experiences considerable development. 

“We are grateful for this study carried out here because we never thought that we could take football off the pitch to conceptualize it and make it an object of study in the lecture halls,” he said.   

The official added that through football, a social revolution is taking place for the reconsideration of women. 

“The film has allowed us to see the ambition of a woman who will bring her contribution to the social development of our country…we think that with the feat that our Indomitable Lionesses achieved last August, by winning the Africa Cup of Nations, football has become a chance for our country today,” he continued   

Documentary to portray dreams 

The researcher and brain behind the Kicking and Streaming project, from which the documentary was produced, Sarah Imsand, said it aimed to reveal the lives of people who have been putting in efforts to achieve their dreams and finally succeeded in doing so. 

She said it was also to show an image of gender equality, and resource distribution. She said to realize one's dreams, one also needs resources and the ability to access resources. 

Message to youth 

One of the young footballers, Fortune Mbitounou, urged young people to be focused, hard working and consistent. 

“…in life, only work and perseverance pay off. You must have the chance to be well surrounded, women's football is currently on the rise, and it's also thanks to our coaches who act as parents and hold our hands until our peak,” Mbitounou said. 

She also urged youth never to abandon their dreams and to surround themselves with good people who have positive mindset. 

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3948 of Friday October 23, 2026