From a heated football match earlier this week, the Ministry of Decentralization and Local Development (MINDDEVEL) moved to strategic dialogue during a high-level Roundtable Conference on March 5, 2026. Held at the Annex C building of the Ministry in Yaounde, the event was chaired by Mrs. Nfor Catherine Mugha epse Essoh, Technical Adviser No. 2, representing the Minister. As a cornerstone of the International Women’s Day (IWD) celebrations, the conference provided a professional forum to dissect the critical roles women play in advancing Cameroon’s decentralization agenda.
The discussions were structured around the fundamental rights and duties of women within the local development framework. A key highlight was the status report on the implementation of the gender strategy across Regional and Local Authorities (RLAs). Experts analyzed the current landscape of female representation, noting that while legal frameworks exist to support inclusivity, the transition from policy to practice remains a work in progress.
By evaluating these strategies, the ministry aimed to identify specific bottlenecks preventing women from taking more prominent seats at the local governance table. Addressing the gap between legislation and reality, the conference featured insights from PROLOG, which proposed sustainable solutions to enhance female participation in governance.
The dialogue acknowledged that local development is most effective when it is inclusive, yet it also touched on modern challenges affecting professional performance. A significant portion of the debate was dedicated to the impact of social media addiction on workplace health and productivity, highlighting the ministry’s holistic concern for the well-being and efficiency of its female workforce.
The findings and recommendations from these enriching sessions are to be compiled into a comprehensive strategic report for high-level authorities. This document will serve as a roadmap for integrating women’s voices more effectively into the decentralization process. As the intellectual phase of the week concludes, the focus shifts to cultural celebration; the Women’s Week festivities continue today, March 6, with the much-anticipated Gastronomy Day, showcasing the rich culinary heritage and diverse talents of women within the ministry.
