Forum des Femmes Autochtones Du Cameroun (FFAC)
Cameroon
As a self-led group of Indigenous Mbororo women in Cameroon, FFAC supports girls who are fleeing early and forced marriages or experiencing displacement due to conflict. Its brave interventions alter the trajectory of lives and communities, as a story from this year demonstrates.
When Marie*, a 14-year-old girl, was given away for marriage without her consent by her father and family members, a fellow classmate, Aissatou,* took notice of her sudden absence in school. Aissatou reached out to FFAC, who immediately investigated and informed social government services. FFAC also got in touch with Marie’s family, convincing the father and other family members by educating them about the harm of early marriage. “After long negotiation…she finally went back to school and is currently receiving support from us.”
As FFAC explains, on any given day, “there are hundreds of girls out there” who share Marie’s experience, but do not have anywhere to turn. So its vital work continues apace. In the meantime, Marie has not only gone back to school, she has been selected to serve as one of FFAC’s youngest Ambassadors to advocate for the end of child marriage. Having stepped into her own power, Marie is now a force for change in many other lives.
*Names changed for privacy