Introduction
Women and girls in Cameroon continue to face major challenges linked to gender inequality and poverty. While about 39% of Cameroonians live below the poverty line, the rate is much higher for women at 51.5%. Nearly four out of five women are under-employed (according to cameroon.un.org), and in 2023, about 77.6% were in “vulnerable” jobs such as informal work, unpaid family labor, or self-employment.
Although the government has introduced policies to reduce gender gaps and support women’s economic empowerment, inequality remains. Women still experience higher poverty and underemployment than men. Even though they make up nearly 70% of the informal workforce, only 21.6% of women had access to professional training in 2025 compared to 28.6% of men. As a result, many women remain concentrated in low-income activities like agriculture, petty trading, and small subsistence businesses.
At ASCOA, women’s empowerment is one of our core focus areas. Our mission is to reduce poverty among women by building their skills and capacity through training programs, workshops, entrepreneurship support, leadership development, and health initiatives.
Strengthening Women’s Livelihoods: ASCOA’s International Women’s Day Initiative
To mark the 38th edition of International Women’s Day 2023, the Association for Community Awareness (ASCOA) organized an initiative aimed at empowering women and young girls through practical income-generating skills. This effort was part of ASCOA’s commitment to advancing women’s empowerment and reducing poverty among vulnerable groups. The project brought together over 25 women for hands-on training in the production of flour-based products such as cakes, chin chin, donuts, sugar balls, puff puff, and bread. The training not only equipped participants with entrepreneurial skills but also promoted solidarity and self-reliance. Despite logistical challenges including limited access to baking tools, transportation difficulties, and lack of external sponsorship ASCOA successfully implemented the activity with its own resources.
Objectives
The main objective was to empower women and young girls with practical skills that can generate income and improve their quality of life. The training aimed to boost participants’ confidence, encourage self-reliance, and inspire them to empower others in their communities.
SDGs Concerned
This initiative aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
- SDG 1: No Poverty – by enabling women to create income opportunities.
- SDG 5: Gender Equality – by strengthening women’s agency and participation.
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – by promoting entrepreneurship and self-employment.
Outcomes / Relevant Data
A total of 25 women benefited from the training, including 7 internally displaced women affected by the socio-political crisis in Cameroon’s Northwest and Southwest regions. These women gained skills to start small businesses, improve household income, and build resilience. The project highlighted the importance of collective action and laid the foundation for future initiatives that can reach even more vulnerable women in local communities.