Plan International Cameroon recently marked its Safeguarding Week from April 13 to 17, 2026, transitioning child protection from a mere policy framework into a lived daily responsibility.
The initiative had as focus the collective mobilization aimed to address the silent crises of abuse, neglect, and infanticide affecting children across the nation. Country Director Mohamed Bah emphasized that safeguarding is no longer a concept to be proven but a “given” commitment shared by institutions, communities, and the youth to ensure inclusive and respectful environments for all.
Institutional engagement played a pivotal role, with representatives from the Ministry of the Promotion of Women and the Family – MINPROFF acknowledging progress while highlighting critical gaps. Mr. Nyebel, Deputy Director of Child Protection at MINPROFF, noted the urgent need for specialized safeguarding training among magistrates and security forces to ensure the justice system responds effectively to reports of violence. This dialogue underscored that a sustainable protection network requires seamless collaboration between international organizations and national legal frameworks.
Empowering the next generation was a cornerstone of the week’s activities, particularly in regions like Garoua and Bertoua. Youth leaders such as Abiba and Fanta asserted that young people are not merely passive recipients of aid but active agents of prevention.
By understanding informed consent and identifying protective behaviors, they are positioned at the forefront of community vigilance, capable of raising alerts and setting boundaries to safeguard their peers against exploitation.
The campaign also tackled the ethics of representation, emphasizing “storytelling without harm. Communication specialists and media professionals discussed the vital importance of ethical storytelling. “Telling a story should never expose, stigmatize, or re victimize. Informing must always be done with respect for the dignity and humanity of those concerned.” said Dr. Donkeng Eddy Patrick, Communication and Influencing Specialist at Plan International Cameroon.
The consensus was clear: the dignity and humanity of children and young people must always take precedence over the narrative, ensuring that information serves to protect rather than expose.
The week concluded with symbolic gestures of commitment across Maroua, Bertoua, and Yaoundé, including the construction of “Walls of Commitments” and the release of balloons to represent a future of safe environments. These activities served to reinforce the shared understanding of reporting mechanisms and individual accountability.
As the campaign continues, Plan International remains dedicated to making safeguarding an enduring social contract that involves every sector of Cameroonian society.
