As part of the 2026 International Mother’s Day celebrations, the Network of Women’s Associations of the Douala I Subdivision (RAFED) organised a three-day capacity-building workshop. The event that took place at the Women Empowerment Center in Akwa was aimed at equipping local women with sustainable economic, health, and legal tools.The initiative was organized in partnership with the Moulema Moua Ngomé Association and the Women and Family Promotion Centre.While opening the workshop on May 25, the Regional Inspector in charge of Prefectorial Administration at the Littoral Governor’s Office Mboke Naz Senta, urged the women to maximize the platform provided to them. Holding under the theme “bringing us together, Sustainable Empowerment, Health, and the Fight Against Gender-Based Violence” places women at the very heart of social development. The governor’s representative stated that “by continuing this event in Douala following your official accreditation in 2024, you demonstrate a profound commitment to solidarity. This ambitious 2026 program provides a concrete, pragmatic response to the operational challenges women face in our region.”He highlighted that the week’s agenda acts as a catalyst for both personal and professional transformation. Some of the events during the three days included ,motivational coaching sessions for entrepreneurs and success-story sharing to instil market confidence. Hands-on workshops, particularly in fabric dyeing, to offer immediate income-generating skills. A mobile clinic offering free screenings and vital signs monitoring to foster a healthy community. Socio-legal clinics to break the silence surrounding inheritance rights, domestic abuse, and extreme gender-based violence like femicide. The matron of the event, Ndome Engome Michèle(3rd Assistant City Mayor of Douala and Coordinator of the Moulema Moua Ngomé Association), emphasized that municipal authorities will spare no effort in advancing women’s independence.She also acknowledged the vital support of men in the community. “We made the bet to move past a purely festive celebration and create something truly transformative.
This calls us to act on three fronts including economic autonomy, preventive health, and legal justice. I invite every mother and young woman to take over each workshop to learn, share, heal, and reveal yourselves.” she stated.For the president of RAFED Mme Lottin Ndoumbe Martine, they have been working to strengthen the capacities of women. “We act as a catalyst for change, accompanying women on their journey toward social independence under the technical guidance of the Ministry for the Promotion of Women and the Family,” Martine explained.She further noted that the 2026 edition introduces additions to the curriculum, including capacity-building workshops on digital technology and online sales to help women transition into the modern digital economy. “Women are creators of wealth. They must be supported to become leaders, queens, and great entrepreneurs capable of transforming their environments.”The impact of the network’s initiatives was visible at the esplanade of the Women Empowerment Center in Akwa. The venue was transformed into a vibrant exhibition marketplace, where women actively showcased an array of diverse homemade consumer products, agricultural goods, and crafted textiles proving that the journey toward sustainable financial independence is already well underway.
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