On Wednesday, March 25, 2026, the Minister of Women’s Empowerment and the Family – MINPROFF, Marie Thérèse Abena Ondoa held a high-level audience with a delegation from the German company GIZ in Cameroon to strategize on the future of local governance.

The meeting centered on the transition from the current Support Programme for Decentralization and Financial Governance dubbed PADGOF to a new successor project. As PADGOF nears its scheduled conclusion in August 2026, both the Ministry and GIZ are working to ensure that the progress made in decentralization is sustained through a fresh, gender-focused framework.

Central to the discussions was the integration of gender-responsive budgeting and the promotion of female leadership within local administrative structures. The Minister emphasized that true decentralization can only be achieved when women are actively involved in the financial decision-making processes of their communities.

By introducing more women to the complexities of financial management, the partnership aims to bridge the gap between local governance and gender equality, ensuring that community resources are allocated more equitably.

The Minister took the opportunity to commend the significant milestones already achieved through the long-standing cooperation with GIZ. She highlighted that the empowerment of women at the local level is not just a social goal but a vital economic necessity for the development of the nation.

The upcoming project is expected to prioritize capacity building, providing women with the technical skills needed to oversee local finances and advocate for policies that address the specific needs of families and vulnerable groups.

As the planning phase for the successor program intensifies, the commitment to intensifying actions for female leadership remains a top priority. Both parties reaffirmed that the next phase of cooperation will focus on creating a more inclusive local development model.

By placing women at the heart of local financial governance, MINPROFF and GIZ Cameroon are setting a standard for sustainable development that empowers women to lead from the grassroots up, ensuring a more resilient and inclusive future for all.