The Minister of Social Affairs, Pauline Irene Nguene màde the announcement yesterday June 16, during a press briefing held at her ministry in commemoration of the 35th edition of the Day of the African Child.
Cameroon’s government has made a bold commitment to the nation’s children, announcing a dedicated allocation of over 2 billion CFA francsin 2025 to support and advance the rights and well-being of children across the country. The announcement was made by the Minister of Social Affairs, Pauline Irène Nguene, during a press conference held in Yaoundé, on June 16, as the nation joined the rest of the continent in marking the 35th edition of the Day of the African Child. Minister Nguene described the allocation as a concrete demonstration of the government’s resolve to transform policy into action.
She noted that this significant budgetary effort will be used to fund a wide range of child-centered programs, designed to respond to the real and urgent needs of Cameroon’s youngest citizens. According to the Minister, the promotion of children’s rights remains at the heart of national development priorities, in line with the vision of the President of the Republic, His Excellency Paul Biya. She explained that the government’s approach to child protection is holistic and inclusive, aimed at addressing not only immediate challenges but also long-term structural barriers to child development.
This year’s 2 billion CFA franc investment, she added, reflects a new momentum in Cameroon’s social policy agenda one focused on ensuring that children grow up in environments that are safe, healthy, and empowering. During her address, Minister Nguene stressed that children’s access to quality, inclusive education is no longer an aspiration, but a non-negotiable right that must be fulfilled without discrimination. She pointed to ongoing efforts to strengthen the national education system, particularly in underserved regions, so that every child can benefit from equal learning opportunities.
She also highlighted recent improvements in child health services, noting that expanded vaccination campaigns and better access to primary healthcare have significantly improved outcomes in many communities. In her remarks, the Minister equally underscored the importance of protecting children from all forms of violence, abuse, exploitation, and neglect. She explained that the allocated funds would also be used to strengthen social protection mechanisms, increase the capacity of community-based child welfare structures, and provide support to families in vulnerable conditions. Furthermore, she emphasized that nurturing children’s growth also means investing in their physical and psychological well-being through proper nutrition, decent housing, and access to leisure activities that support emotional and cognitive development.
Minister Nguene emphasized that the Day of the African Child, first established in 1991 by the Organization of African Unity, is not merely a commemorative event, but a powerful reminder of the collective responsibility that all stakeholders bear in shaping the future of children in Cameroon and across Africa. She acknowledged the gains made since 2010 in areas such as vocational training, civil registration, and the institutionalization of child-sensitive budgeting, but cautioned that these advances must be sustained and expanded if Cameroon is to meet its national and international commitments.
Calling on all actors government institutions, civil society organizations, development partners, parents, and communities the Minister urged for closer collaboration and a united front in the implementation of child-rights-centered policies. She made it clear that the journey toward a just and equitable society begins with children, and that investment in their well-being is not a matter of charity, but of national obligation and strategic foresight.
