YAWC Network Launches Landmark Summit to Empower Women Across Cameroon

YAWC Network members

In a landmark event for women’s empowerment, the Young African Women Congress (YAWC) Network held its first-ever National Summit in Buea, Cameroon, on Saturday, July 20, 2024. Hosted at the Women Empowerment Center, this groundbreaking summit brought together YAWC members from across Cameroon, marking a significant milestone in the network's mission to uplift young women across Africa.

Joan Tambelin, the YAWC Network Cameroon Chapter Coordinator, took center stage to elaborate on the network’s vision and mission. The YAWC’s vision is ambitious yet clear: to connect all young women of Africa and the diaspora on a unified platform for intellectual discourse and knowledge sharing. This effort aims at fostering women’s development and advancing political and socioeconomic progress on the continent. Tambelin outlined the mission of YAWC, which includes a collaborative approach to empowering women, promoting grassroots mobilization for young women’s leadership, creating support systems to help women excel, and serving as a robust advocacy platform for women and girls.

YAWC Cameroon Coordinator

The summit featured a lineup of distinguished speakers who delivered impactful messages. Mrs. Ediage Lucia Dipita Sona, the Regional Delegate of Women Empowerment and the Family for the South West, set a motivational tone with her address on self-care and balancing home responsibilities. Mrs. Sona emphasized that true empowerment begins with personal well-being and home stability. She urged women to transition from rhetoric to action by organizing seminars for young girls and advocated for women to own businesses as a means to reduce gender-based violence, which is often rooted in economic hardship.

Regional Delegate of Women Empowerment and family SW

Mr. Mosoke Lucas LYONGA, a respected Business and Leadership Development Expert, provided a compelling message about proactive growth. He encouraged women to actively seek out opportunities rather than passively waiting for them. Mr. Lyonga stressed the importance of staying informed and continuously pursuing knowledge to recognize and seize opportunities. His address concluded with a call for women to own businesses as a key to achieving substantial success and independence.

Dr. Stephanie K. Wirba, a leading mental health expert, addressed the critical link between mental well-being and economic success. Dr. Wirba’s presentation highlighted how mental health challenges can severely impact a woman's ability to manage and succeed in business ventures. She underscored the necessity of comprehensive mental health support to ensure women can perform effectively in all aspects of their lives.

The summit’s final session featured Madam Gladys Messi, who offered practical advice on producing rubbing oil suitable for various skin types. Her presentation provided valuable insights into creating products for personal use and commercial sale, aimed at enhancing family income. The event concluded with a heartfelt exchange of pleasantries and acknowledgments.

Members and delegates being trained on how to produce all skin type body lotion

Joan Tambelin, the National Chapter Coordinator, praised Obah Rosaline, the chapter president, for her exceptional leadership and vision in organizing the summit and advancing YAWC’s goals. The closing remarks celebrated the success of the summit and acknowledged the contributions of all involved.

Daniel Tuffuor, the Global Chairperson of the YAWC Network, expressed profound admiration for the summit’s success. “To say I am impressed is an understatement,” Tuffuor remarked. “This is truly a great achievement, and both myself and the entire YAWC Network Council extend our heartfelt congratulations to the Team Cameroon for this remarkable success. The Coordinating Team, led by Joan Tambelin, has been exceptional. We are deeply grateful for your dedication. To our esteemed President Rosaline, your leadership has been nothing short of phenomenal.”

Tuffuor also extended his gratitude to those who contributed financially and in other ways to the summit’s success. “To everyone who supported this summit, whether through financial contributions or other forms of support, may the good Lord replenish you a hundredfold. Your efforts have been invaluable. God bless everyone who attended and participated in making this summit a historic occasion.”

The YAWC Network’s inaugural summit not only set a new standard for women’s empowerment in Africa but also showcased the network’s commitment to driving meaningful change through collaboration and advocacy.

By Rosaline Obah