To mark this year’s international Women’s Day, the Regional Delegation of Women Empowerment and the Family (MINPROFF) North West Region, in partnership with COMINSUD kicked off a week long of activities to celebrate the global event, with a visit to Progressive Comprehensive college Bamenda. The visit to the school, had as focus to educate young girls from the ages 13-21 on Gender Based Violence; defining key terms like gender, sex, violence, perpetrators, and survivors. According to a UN Women report, school-related gender based violence is a major obstacle to universal schooling and the right to education for girls. Reasons why, the sensitization exercise also saw the breakdown of the forms of GBV, it’s causes and effects on individuals and the society.

Women’s Day is observed every March 8, to celebrate the progress made in achieving Gender Equality, and Women’s Empowerment but also to raise awareness on the great amount of inequalities and violence women still face.

Furthermore, the day seeks to recognize the remarkable efforts of women in the historical, economic, political, social, and cultural advancement of their countries and communities. Cameroon celebrates under the theme “Equality between women and men for a sustainable tomorrow”.

The school girls were also drilled on sexual reproductive health, menstrual health and hygiene as an important aspect of a woman’s life. They were reminded of the importance of menstruation and ways of better management, for good menstrual health can protect the dignity, build the confidence and strengthen sexual and reproductive health particularly among adolescents.

Cultural taboos and myths surrounding menstruation was demystified and boys encouraged to support girls by shunning negative practices that disfavor them during their periods.
The distribution of sanitary products crowned the end of the school exercise and the students showed appreciation for the knowledge gained.

COMINSUD remains committed to the empowerment of women, girls and the transformation of communities.