By Doh James Sonkey
A framework agreement has been signed between the Ministry of Higher Education, Ministry of Women Empowerment and the Family and State Universities for protection and physcological support to women in State Universities.
The signing of the framework agreement last March 6, 2026 at the Cameroon Network University and Digital Development Supervision Centre at Melen was placed under the High Patronage of Cameroon’s First Lady, Chantal Biya, who doubles as UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Education and Social Inclusion.
The event was co-chaired by Minister of State, Minister of Higher Education and Chancellor of Academic Orders, Prof. Jacques Fame Ndongo, and the Minister of Women Empowerment and the Family, Prof Marie-Thérèse Abena Ondoa in the presence of the Representative of the First Lady of Cameroon, Vice-Chancellors and Rectors of State Universities and a large delegation of women from Circle of Friends of the First Lady (CERAC.)
Speaking at the occasion, Prof. Jacques Fame Ndongo said the partnership follows the investiture speech last November 6, 2025, by the President of the Republic, Head of State, H.E Paul Biya who placed women and youth at the heart of this seven-year mandate.
He explained that, “the agreement primarily is aimed at the protection and psychological support of women and vulnerable persons, such as orphans and refugees, through empowerment, teaching, and research within University Institutions.”
MINESUP, MINPROFF and State Universities commit to pooling their resources to facilitate exchanges on behaviours, influencing interpersonal relationships and implementing projects dedicated to eradicating femicides and suicides. This legal instrument also provides for the establishment of a cooperation programme between University Psychology Departments, listening structures and the contribution of non-governmental organizations to initiatives supporting individuals in distress.
Prof Fame Ndongo added that, “beyond the psychological aspect, the agreement defines modalities for promoting gender equality and women’s economic empowerment, considered essential levers for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the National Development Strategy (SND30).
By integrating University research into the fight for the protection of the family and the rights of the child, the Government reaffirms that social well-being is a sine qua non condition for the structural transformation of the national economy.
The Minister of State urged the Heads of State Universities to take all necessary measures for the optimal implementation of the agreement, while specifying that specific conventions would be signed by Vice-Chancellors and Rectors of State Universities to address particular local issues. The signing which took place on the eve of the 41st edition of International Women’s Day, marks a decisive step in the Government’s strategy to promote and protect women and vulnerable segments of society, a cornerstone of the policy of social justice and equity led by the Head of State, and implemented under the High Coordination of the Prime Minister, Head of Government.