This year has been an exciting and impactful one for Educate Young Girls, and we’re thrilled to highlight the inspiring student-led initiatives that took place around two of Cameroon’s most significant national observances: Youth Day and National Unity Day (May 20th).
Youth Day Initiative: Inspiring Change from Within
February 11th, celebrated nationwide as Youth Day in Cameroon is a day to celebrate and acknowledge the critical role young people play in shaping the nation’s future using their voices, actions and involvement in personal and nation building.
This year, our dedicated student mentors rose to the occasion with a week-long advocacy campaign leading up to Youth Day. Spanning three secondary schools in the Nkondjock community, these young leaders organized a dynamic series of engagements aimed at sharing the knowledge they had gained through our organization’s training programs.
They sparked conversations and group discussions on topics such as:
Girls’ education and the barriers young girls continue to face.
Reproductive health education, helping to combat myths and misinformation.
Peer mentorship, highlighting the power of youth supporting youth.
Community dialogue, creating safe spaces for questions and reflection.
Safety surrounding the children of the community
This meaningful week culminated in a Grand March in Nkondjock on February 11th. Dressed in coordinated uniforms and carrying banners with key messages, the students reached about 500 students and community members, engaging them in critical conversations.
Their passion and confidence left a lasting impression, turning a national holiday into a platform for transformative learning and advocacy.
Nationwide Impact on National Unity Day: Speaking Boldly, Leading Publicly
Just a few months later, on May 20th, our student mentors once again took center stage: this time during the celebrations for Cameroon’s National Unity Day. Marking the unification of French and English Cameroon, this day holds deep historical and political significance.
For our students, it became another opportunity to spotlight an urgent and often overlooked issue: girls’ reproductive health and dignity.
Our peer mentors took center stage during Unity Day celebrations, leading bold, public advocacy Conversations and discussions amplifying their message on a national platform. With confidence and clarity, they spoke to public officials, traditional leaders, teachers, and neighbors, urging the community to:
Prioritize access to accurate and inclusive reproductive health education.
Address the stigma and silence surrounding teenage pregnancy.
Empower girls to make informed decisions about their bodies and futures.
Their bold advocacy was symbolic. By aligning their efforts with a nationally televised celebration, our students ensured that their message reached beyond school walls and into the broader Cameroonian consciousness.
What makes these moments so powerful is that they were led by the students who acted as ambassadors of change, and being walking proof that when young people are trusted with knowledge, they rise with courage.
At Educate Young Girls, we believe in youth-led transformation. From Nkondjock to the national stage, our students are proving that education, when paired with purpose and community, becomes a tool not just for personal growth but for societal progress.
As we reflect on this year’s milestones, we are more inspired than ever to continue nurturing the potential of every girl and every student we serve. Stay tuned for more updates on the powerful ways our young leaders are transforming their communities: one conversation, one campaign, and one day at a time.
