Economic opportunities for women and youths in Cameroon: Opportunities, challenges and prospects.

Introduction

Cameroon, a lower-middle-income country located in Central Africa, has made notable strides in recent years in terms of economic growth and poverty reduction.  Cameroon’s economy has continued to experience steady growth, with a GDP growth rate of approximately 4.5% per annum, driven primarily by the services and agriculture sectors (World Bank, 2022). Notably, the poverty rate has declined significantly, from 37.5% in 2014 to 28.5% in 2020, according to the World Bank’s most recent estimates (World Bank, 2022). Furthermore, the country has made progress in reducing extreme poverty, with the percentage of the population living on less than 1.90$ a day decreasing from 13.4% in 2014 to 9.3% in 2020 (World Bank, 2022). These achievements are a testament to the government’s efforts to implement policies aimed at promoting economic development and reducing poverty.

Despite these gains, women and youths in Cameroon continue to face significant barriers in accessing economic opportunities, hindering their full participation in the economy and perpetuating poverty and inequalities in diverse forms. Women, in particular, face discrimination and marginalization in the labor market, fueled by limited access to education, training, and credit, which restricts their ability to start and grow businesses (Engoh, 2019). Youths, on the other hand, face high levels of unemployment. Despite being competent and qualified, many youths encounter challenges to find decent jobs that match their skills and aspirations, as obserevd by Crestin in a study he caried out in 15 countries, which revealed that 60% of respondents reported feeling “overqualified” for their current job, while 45% reported feeling “underpaid” . (Crestin- Billet 2022).

The lack of adequate economic opportunities for women and youths has far-reaching consequences, including perpetuating poverty and inequality, limiting economic growth, and undermining social cohesion. It is therefore imperative to identify innovative solutions that can address these challenges and promote economic opportunities for women and youths in Cameroon. This paper highlights the opportunities, challenges, and prospects for promoting economic opportunities for women and youths in Cameroon, with a focus on innovative solutions that can be implemented by the government, private sector, and civil society organizations.

Opportunities

Digital Agriculture: Leveraging digital technologies, such as precision agriculture, drones, and mobile apps, can increase agricultural productivity and efficiency, creating new job opportunities for women and youths in rural areas.

Green Economy: Investing in renewable energy, sustainable infrastructure, and eco-tourism can create new job opportunities for women and youths, while promoting environmental sustainability.

Creative Industries: Developing the creative industries, such as fashion, music, and art, can create new job opportunities for women and youths, while promoting cultural diversity and national identity.

Social Entrepreneurship: Encouraging social entrepreneurship, which combines business acumen with social impact, can create new job opportunities for women and youths, while addressing social and environmental challenges.

Challenges

Limited Access to Technology: Many rural areas lack reliable internet connectivity, making it difficult for women and youths to access online resources, information, and opportunities. A significant proportion of women and youths in Cameroon also lack the basic digital skills required to effectively use technology, and the cost of digital devices is prohibitively high for many.

Unconscious Bias: Unconscious bias and stereotypes also limit women’s access to economic opportunities, particularly in male-dominated sectors. This bias can manifest in various ways, including stereotyping, discrimination, and limited access to networks and mentorship. Women may face discrimination in the workplace, including unequal pay, lack of promotion opportunities, and harassment.

Limited Access to Resourceful Networks: One of the most significant obstacles hindering the economic empowerment of women and youths in Cameroon is the limited access to networks and mentorship opportunities. This lack of access restricts their ability to tap into valuable resources, connections, and guidance that are essential for securing job opportunities, starting businesses, and navigating the complexities of the professional world. Without a strong network of mentors, role model limited to networking events, business incubators, and mentorship programs means that women and youths are denied the chance to learn from experienced professionals, gain valuable insights, and build relationships that can open doors to new opportunities.

Insufficient Data: Insufficient   data on women’s and youths’ economic empowerment is another significant challenge that hinders efforts to promote their economic development in Cameroon. Without accurate and reliable data, it is difficult to track progress, identify areas of improvement, and make informed policy decisions that address the specific needs of women and youths. The absence of data also makes it challenging to measure the impact of interventions and programs aimed at promoting women’s and youths’ economic empowerment, which can lead to a lack of accountability and a waste of resources (Monga 2022). Furthermore, the lack of data perpetuates the invisibility of women and youths in the economic sphere, making it difficult to recognize their contributions and potential.

Prospects

Innovative Financing: Implementing innovative financing mechanisms, such as impact investing, crowd funding, and pay-as-you-go models, can increase access to finance for women and youths.

Skills Development: Providing skills development programs, including vocational training, apprenticeships, and online courses, can equip women and youths with the skills needed to compete in the job market.

Entrepreneurship Support: Providing entrepreneurship support, including business incubators, accelerators, and mentorship programs, can help women and youths start and grow their own businesses.

Policy Reforms: Implementing policy reforms, including regulatory changes and tax incentives, can create an enabling environment for entrepreneurship and investment.

Recommendations for A Multi Stakeholder Approach

Government:

• Invest in digital infrastructure, provide digital literacy training, and promote affordable access to digital devices to increase access to technology for women and youths.
• Develop a women’s economic empowerment index that tracks progress on women’s economic empowerment and provides data for informed policy decisions.
• Implement policies and programs that promote gender equality, including unconscious bias training for employers and educators.
• Integrate a youth entrepreneurship curriculum into the national education system, providing young people with the skills and knowledge needed to start their own businesses.

Private Sector:

• Provide funding and resources for digital literacy training and entrepreneurship programs targeting women and youths.
• Offer mentorship programs, networking events, and business incubators to address limited access to networks.
• Develop and implement innovative financing mechanisms, such as impact investing and crowd funding, to increase access to finance for women and youth entrepreneurs.
• Provide skills development programs and entrepreneurship support to create an enabling environment for entrepreneurship and investment.

Civil Society:

• Advocate for policy changes and reforms that promote gender equality and youth economic empowerment.
• Provide training and capacity-building programs for women and youths on entrepreneurship, leadership, and digital literacy.
• Establish community-based initiatives, such as cooperatives and community networks, to provide support and resources for women and youth entrepreneurs.
• Conduct research and analysis to inform policy decisions and track progress on women’s and youths’ economic empowerment.

Women and Youth:

• Take advantage of digital literacy training and entrepreneurship programs to acquire the skills and knowledge needed to start their own businesses.
• Join networks and cooperatives to access mentorship, training, and financing opportunities.
• Advocate for their rights and interests, and participate in policy-making processes to ensure that their voices are heard.
• Support and empower each other through peer-to-peer networks and community-based initiatives.

Conclusion

Promoting economic opportunities for women and youths in Cameroon requires a comprehensive approach that addresses the challenges they face and leverages the opportunities available. By investing in digital infrastructure, promoting gender equality, increasing access to finance, and creating an enabling environment for entrepreneurship and investment, the Cameroonian government can unlock the potential of its young population and promote sustainable economic growth and development. This will require a coordinated effort from the government, private sector, civil society, and development partners to create an enabling environment that supports the economic empowerment of women and youths.

References

Crestin-Billet, S., Boubda, A. R. K., Ndah, H. T., Fouepe, G. H. F., Mathé, S., & Knierim, A. (2022). Strengthening women s and youths’ access to innovation support services (ISS): The 24 h’cassava retting case in Cameroon. International Journal on Food System Dynamics, 13(4), 440-453.

Egoh, M. A. (2019). Gender Inequality: Impediments to Women’s Economic Participation for Sustainable Development in Africa (Cameroon). Denis and Lenora Foretia Foundation.

Monga, C. (Ed.). (2022). The Oxford Handbook of the Economy of Cameroon. Oxford University Press.

Time, V. M., & Whitaker, I. P. (2023). Women of the southwest region of cameroon speak: poverty reduction strategies and policies. GeoJournal, 88(4), 4373-4388.

World Bank. (2022). Poverty & Equity Brief: Cameroon. Retrieved from world bank data base