Inter-sectoral stakeholders in Cameroon, including partner ministries, international NGOs, and local organizations, have come together in a workshop to discuss ways to improve the care provided to orphans and vulnerable children (OVC).
The Ministry of Social Affairs (MINAS) led the workshop from May 22-25, 2024, in Ebolowa, South Region. This initiative is a collaboration with CoSMO – Consolidating Systems and Services for the Management of Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Cameroon, a USAID/PEPFAR-funded project implemented by the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon (NECC).
Mr. Soh Rodolphe, Technical Adviser No. 2 and Representative of the Minister of Social Affairs presided over the 3-day workshop and praised the active engagement from the participants in discussing strategies that can enhance the welfare and holistic development of children in Cameroon.
According to the Minister’s representative « In the past, a lot of work was done by different stakeholders in dispersed ranks, making it unknown to all. However, this workshop has allowed for experience-sharing, bringing all of us [stakeholders] up to date. I believe the depth of discussion on the different policies, programs, and strategies for child protection is something we should capitalize on to improve the welfare of the OVC, » he said.
The workshop aims to identify early warning signs of neglect, violence, abuse, exploitation, child labour, etc., to inform the update and potential rollout of the early childhood development (ECD) policy. It began with a detailed presentation from the Ministry of Social Affairs on the early childhood development policy developed in 2017.
Dr. Ebiama Lifanda, Program Management Specialist and Alternate Agreement Officer Representative for CoSMO at USAID – US Agency for International Development, addressed the participants at the start of the workshop, calling on them to work together to improve the lives of orphans and vulnerable children.
CoSMO supports over 65000 OVC and their families infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. The CoSMO Project has an overall goal to improve their welfare to overcome the burden and shocks related to HIV/AIDS. This is through the delivery of high-quality services that address protection, education, health and socio-economic status.
Dr. Xavier Tchetnya, Chief of Party for the CoSMO Project in his closing remark, appreciated the participants for the work covered during the workshop. He pledged NECC’s support through CoSMO, to roll out the Early Childhood Development Policy (of MINAS) and the Positive Parenting Manual (of MINPROFF), both of which will, in essence, enable stakeholders to stay abreast and ensure the holistic development of children in Cameroon, especially OVC.
It’s worth mentioning that the sectoral ministries included the Ministry of Social Affairs, the Ministry of Public Health (NACC, DFH), the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Family, the Ministry of Basic Education, the Ministry of Secondary Education, the Ministry of Youth Affairs, the Ministry of decentralization and local development, the Ministry of Labour and social security, the Ministry of Justice, National Civil Service Registration Centre (BUNEC). International NGOs included UNHCR, NASCENTS Solution, and Plan International while the Local NGOs included; No Limit for Women in Action (NOLFOWOP), Integrated Development Foundation(IDF), Refugee Welfare Association of Cameroon(REWAC) and Cameroon Child Rights Civil Society Organizations Network (CAM-CRIN) and the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon(NECC).
