A workshop took place recently to ensure different ministries take population issues into consideration in their developmental strategies.

Marie-Thérése Abena Ondoa née Obama, Minister of Women’s Empowerment and the Family, yesterday November 24 coordinated discussions geared towards identifying issues of the country’s population which must be taken into consideration in developmental decisions. The Minister Delegate in the Ministry of the Economy, Planning and Regional Development, Yaouba Abdoulaye opened discussions in a workshop organised by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) within the framework of the fifth programme to rally secretary general of ministries on the need to take into account population issues in government development strategies.

While government personalities spoke on the country’s development vision between now and 2035, the Resident Coordinator of the UN Systems in Cameroon, Michel Balima, said the United Nations is advocating an effective integration of population issues, gender and reproductive health in different strategies and development programmes of government. Since majority of Cameroon’s population is young, the Representative of UNFPA in Cameroon, Alain Sibenaler, said it will be necessary for government to take into account the education, health and employment situation of its growing population which should have access to employment. Noting that the population of Cameroon is increasingly urban with majority being women, Alain Sibenaler added that it will also be important for the government to pay attention to urban planning with special focus on the reproductive health of women many of who die when giving birth or due to pregnancy-related complications.