The international conference of the ''Women and Youth Leaders Empowerment Forum'' (WYLEF), was organized by the YUMMEN association, in collaboration with the CNJC under the theme "Female digital entrepreneurship and social transformation in Africa' on March 31, 2023 at the Campus of the Protestant University of Central Africa (UPAC).
The Minister of Youth and Civic Education, MOUNOUNA FOUTSOU presided with his counterparts, members of the Government for the Promotion of Women and the Family, Posts and Telecommunications and Small and Medium Enterprises, Social Economy and Handicrafts.
WYLEF is a global network and framework to facilitate the participation of young people and women for sharing experiences, exchanging ideas, mentoring and implementing networked at national, continental and global levels.
The celebration of International Women's Day (IWD) this year was placed under the theme, "For an inclusive digital world: innovation and technologies at the service of equality between women and men".
This thematic orientation aims to highlight, on the one hand, the benefits for women and girls of the opportunities offered by technological transformation, and on the other hand, the need for them to participate in the development of information and communication technologies. communication (ICT).
This will contribute to reducing the digital divide between men and women. In this sense, the Secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, clarified in his message on the occasion of the JIF that women represent only "1/3 of the workforce in developing countries.
"Only "1/3 of the workforce in science, technology, engineering and math".
However, without sufficient representation of women during their development, new technologies can immediately contain the seeds of discrimination. It is therefore essential to reduce the digital divide and increase the representation of women and girls in science and technology.
Therefore, greater participation of women and girls in the technology sector would lead to more creative solutions and offer greater potential for innovation that would meet their needs.
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Digital technologies and the decisive contributions women can make to empowerment and positive transformation of their environment, is another reason why the title of the conference is "Female digital entrepreneurship and social transformation in Africa".
This conference aims to promote the digital entrepreneurship of women and young girls as a means of innovation, empowerment and positive transformation of their environment.
Sharing the experience of young girls' and women's success stories in the digital economy to encourage young girls and women to engage in the digital economy.
- Identify promising sectors and challenges faced by girls and women in digital entrepreneurship.
- Promote the positive use by young girls and women of cyberspace as a place to work (e-commerce, digital marketing, etc.), to learn (online training, etc.) and to guide them towards opportunities ( job search, funding, partnership)
- Stimulate the spirit of innovation of women, girls and young people in general so that they become agents of change in their environment through digital technology.
Pr BOUBA MBIMA, Rector of the Protestant University of Central Africa (UPAC), in his adress underlined the importance of this conference and was delighted to welcome such an initiative that promotes female digital entrepreneurship. He also said he was happy to take part in a new and innovative idea that highlights the creativity of Cameroonian youth.
FADIMATOU IYAWA OUSMANOU, President of the National Executive Bureau of the National Youth Council of Cameroon (CNJC) presented the initiative which she carries and leads across Africa and the world.
She presented the association Women and Youth Leaders Empowerment Forum (WYLEF) as an initiative to encourage female digital entrepreneurship and participate in the social transformation of Africa.
Minette LIBOM LI LIKENG, Minister of Posts and Telecommunications (MINPOSTEL) demonstrated in her speech, the importance and interest of the digital economy in an increasingly more digitized. She thinks that there are many opportunities to be seized on Cyber-space by women to occupy themselves and earn a living. She noted the example of e-commerce which is gaining more and more ground in Africa and Cameroon.
Marie-Thérèse ABENA ONDOA, Minister for the Promotion of Women and the Family indicated that this international conference is part of the extension of the celebration of the International Day of the woman. In this context, she expressed her admiration for this international initiative which participates in the promotion of women and families through female entrepreneurship.
MOUNOUNA FOUTSOU in his capacity as Minister of Youth and Civic Education encouraged young people on the judicious use of social networks. As such, by adorning himself with his scarf of Ambassador of End violence against Women, Putting an end to violence against women of UNFPA. He recommended that they post useful information like this moment of communion with young people around this theme of struggle.
He insisted on the role and social importance of digital technology and the opportunities offered to be seized by young Cameroonians, especially women.
He thus highlighted the potential contribution that digital represents in the consolidation of the national economy.
During the International conference, Fadimatou IYAWA OUSMANOU, President of the National Youth Council of Cameroon recalled the purpose of this conference which is part of the empowerment of young women and girls in Africa.
During the conference, one learns that "entrepreneurship requires time, energy and resources and above all knowing how to reconcile household chores with those of one's project".
ATEH LARISSA, one of the panelist at the conference, Founder of Youth Internet Moral and Youth Ambassador for PRONEC-REAMORCE shared with the young people present the need to make good use of social networks. In this sense, she recommended that young people stay informed and connected to the opportunities offered by the Internet and train their minds to receive all that is positive.
The international Conference of the Women and Youth Leaders Empowerment Forum (WYLEF) ends in collaboration with the CNJC.
Communication unit, MINJEC