AGAB

Set up by UNICEF for and with girls, the Adolescent Girls Advisory Board (AGAB) initiative aims to turn adolescent girls into ambassadors who defend noble causes and fight discrimination against the girl child, by getting involved in civil society and actively participating in discussion groups.

Adolescent girls' participation is a priority for UNICEF's cooperation program in Cameroon, not least because: “Girls continue to face major challenges that are obstacles to their well-being, and they are all too rarely listened to”, says Nadine PERRAULT, UNICEF Representative in Cameroon.

Through their voices, these young girls from the Adolescent Girls Advisory Board are challenging the government on a number of issues.

AGAB Yaounde

Having taken shape in the central region, precisely in Yaoundé, AGAB group is made up of 10 young girls. They each champion a theme close to their hearts, notably “Parent-child dialogue”, championed by Julienne, “Environmental protection”, championed by Damaris, “Social inclusion”, championed by Lydia, “HIV/AIDS”, championed by Yvanna, and “Mental health”, championed by Gloria.

Other issues raised by these teenagers are “Early pregnancies”, “Climate change”, “Menstrual hygiene management”, “Child marriages” and “Violence in school”, defended respectively by Jessica, Noella, Samira, Nafissatou and Brinda.

AGAB Bertoua

After the Centre region, the AGAB group has expanded to other regions, including the East. AGAB Bertoua is made up of 11 young girls, whose mission is to promote the emancipation of young girls in their locality.

In particular, they are focusing on 11 themes: "Child labor in mining sites”, ‘Nutrition of young children from 06 months’, ‘Early pregnancies’, ‘Access to healthcare for deaf adolescent girl in health facilities’, ‘Discrimination in school environnement’, ‘Early sexuality among adolescent girls’, Inclusive education for deaf adolescent girls in secondary schools”, ‘HIV/AIDS’, ‘Care and treatment of adolescent girls with sickle cell disease’, ‘Parental support in school environment’, and ‘Self-esteem among adolescent girls with disabilities’. Melinda, Ariane, Aissatou, Ange, Eugenie, Blessing, Nafissatou, Debora, Laetissia, Cyndi and Bibiche, respectively, took up these issues.

AGAB Buea

A total of 10 girls from the Adolescent Girls Advisory Board in Buea, in the South-West region, are defending the themes of “Education for all children”, “Decision-making”, “Positive life skills”, “Child Sexual Assault”, “Climate change”, “Early marriage”, “Water, sanitation and hygiene”, “Mental health”, “Sexually transmitted diseases, STDs”, and “Gender Based violence, GBV”. Themes respectively championed by Marie-Claire, Beltine, Agnes, Teneng, Kinner, Fadimatou, Rina, Celine Sophia, Success and Driscole Solidad.