Some 150 female diplomats and personnel of UN Women attended an awareness-raising workshop in Yaounde yesterday.

The new trend in gender equality that emphasises on the impact of female welfare in sustainable development has pushed female diplomats in Cameroon, members of the Dynamics of Women in Cameroonian Diplomacy, DYFEDCAM, of the Ministry of External Relations, MINREX, in collaboration with the United Nations Women’s Entity, UN Women, to act in one voice. Over 150 women diplomats, all staff of MINREX gathered at the ministry yesterday September 24, 2014 to brainstorm on the intricacies of including women diplomats in sustainable development.

Cameroon counts 12 female diplomats at MINREX with the rank of Minister Plenipotentiary in the central and devolved services as opposed to 95 male diplomats; four female Foreign Affairs Advisers compared to 20 male diplomats and 128 Foreign Affairs Secretaries as opposed to 193 males.

The Inspector General at MINREX, Jean Dieudonné Ntsama, while opening the meeting on behalf of the Minister of Ministry of External Relations Pierre Moukoko Mbonjo, reiterated government’s commitment in involving more women in all development-oriented projects.

The Representative and Country Director of UN Women, Rachelle Djangone Mian, stressed on the fact that for countries to succeed in their foreign policy of strategic positioning, gender equality must be respected as it remains key to development.

The Chairperson of DYFEDCAM, Edith Ondoua Ateba noted that their advocacy was based on the optimal usage of women diplomats. Placed on the theme: “The Inclusion of Gender: A Priority for the United Nations,” participants developed and strengthened their knowledge on gender issues as well as understood the concept of carrying out joint actions.