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CAMEROON - HONOR AND LOYALTY : 1984 - 2025: 41 YEARS OF SUCCESSFUL INTEGRATION OF WOMEN IN THE CAMEROONIAN ARMED FORCES


Impeccably clad in her uniform with her stripes and medals clearly visible, she displayed the requisite martial demeanour for the occasion, seen, admired and applauded, at the head of the squares or in the moving columns. Without her, the symbolism of the Unitary State would have been incomplete. With her, the symbiosis was total and the parade was spectacular. She reflects the Nation’s determination to defend its territory. Through the mysteries of her procreative power, she harmoniously combines the specificities of our myriad tribal identities to strengthen National Unity again and again.


Setting aside certain cultural and emotional subjectivities, which quickly faded over time, the incorporation of women into the Cameroonian Army from 1984 onwards represented a significant evolution in Cameroon’s defence policy, which was intended to be popular and could not reasonably be left to men alone, even if it specialised in one of its components. This position was all the more indefensible given that Cameroonian women had already demonstrated their potential, abilities, conviction and determination in civic youth organisations. Their incorporation into the army was therefore in recognition of their merit.


This revolution, because that’s what it was, took place in the minds of men and women themselves. The men had to learn to make room or even step aside for these newcomers to the battalion emerging into the temple of tradition known as the army, while the women were challenged to integrate the sometimes destabilising canons of a profession that is also a way of life, right down to their private lives. 


With an adaptability, boldness and courage that few suspected at the time, women not only resisted constraints, but overcame them daily. Nothing in military training, career profiles or the hierarchy is designed to exempt women from service or favour their advancement on morphological or physiological grounds. Whether it is extremely physically demanding commando training or technically and intellectually advanced training, women excel, often brilliantly.


Even in the absence of the feminisation of professions or responsibilities, women in the military carry out and assume all duties with equal competence, displaying neither softness nor authoritarianism. Consequently, women are present in the ranks and at the head of troops, administrative services and commands of all sizes.


It is hardly surprising, then, that women are present in all fields and circumstances in which the passive or active intervention of our army is required. Throughout the country, in offices and on operations, women are fully involved, executing, commanding, proposing, initiating, mobilising energies, moderating their comrades’ enthusiasm, caring for, assisting and comforting others. Furthermore, their natural sensitivity enables them to foresee and resolve complex social and operational issues, and their brothers in arms often defer to their judgement.

 
 
 
 


While women in uniform are only visible to the population through tasks such as teaching and healthcare, it must be acknowledged that the close collaboration between the army and the population in the ongoing fierce battle against terrorist activities in certain parts of our country largely depends on the reassuring presence of women in security operations. The same applies to international peacekeeping missions in which Cameroonian military personnel are deployed. 


Rather than competing with their male counterparts in the defence and development of the Fatherland, women are establishing a presence in the military through their determination, without neglecting their role in the family. This unique status elevates Cameroonian women and benefits Cameroonian society as a whole. /-






Navy Captain Cyrille Serge ATONFACK GUEMO

Head of Division Communication - MINDEF 

ODILE PAHAI

Derniers commentaires

06.12 | 17:52

Initiative à encourager. Merci et bravo aux promoteurs du mouvement 👏👏

03.12 | 09:31

Buenas tardes, encantado de saludarte. Soy Jose
Quería escribirte porque me ha parecido interesante comentar contigo la posibilidad de que tu negocio aparezca cada mes en periódicos digitales como not

30.11 | 11:53

Bonjour Mme et toutes mes félicitations,
Je suis à Douala, je suis à la recherche de votre tisane. Avez-vous une représentation à Douala. Sinon comment faire pour avoir régulièrement votre produit.

28.11 | 21:45

Vive la folie de la littérature

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