The E-woman 2025 conference in Yaounde has made history with attendees from various backgrounds. An initiative that aims to raise awareness about the redefinition of womanhood, celebrates and supports women’s empowerment. Through this year’s conference theme, “Woman Elevate,” the dynamic inspirational pastor, a career coach, and a marriage counselor who loves to be called “wife” and “mother,” works to empower, educate, and uplift women to accept their divinely appointed identities. Delphine Nforgwei, the conference convener and a remarkable woman, born to inspire change in women, shares her motivation and vision in an interview with Cameroon Factfinder.
Cameroon Factfinder: What do you hope to achieve at this E-Women conference?
Delphine Nforngwei:
Women are empowered through the E-Women conference “all-around empowerment” that goes beyond simply focusing on certain areas. Focus is on caring for the body, soul, spirit, and health. You know, when one of the things that all people, men and women alike, are looking for is fulfillment. They desire to live a fulfilled life. Moreover, we occasionally believe we will be fulfilled when we possess certain items. At a conference like this, a certain level of balance is reached, with the realization that to accomplish the set goals, there is a need for stability in finances, health, relationships, and leadership abilities are necessary. Â This kind of conference takes care of all that, making it comprehensive. It gives the woman the tools she needs to succeed. It ignites self-awareness enabling you to recognize your advantages and disadvantages when you elevate. Ignore your shortcomings and focus on your strengths. It encourages people to discover who they are and develop into the woman God intended them to be. He did not simply make us to be women but he uses each woman for a reason.
After a conference like this, how do you measure impact?
Following such a conference, I hope that women initially unable to launch any business will be inspired to do so. They will be scaled up for those already in business. They will learn what they can do to become, earn, and influence. A woman’s economic impact affects her family and the whole community. Giving birth to and raising children as moms, provides women with the capacity to develop ideas, support businesses, and increase the already significant influence. As a result, some are already taking action. Some have not yet begun. What I am imagining here are women who have risen to the level where they can now count millions and have a million dollars as capital. They can start to envision 50 million or 100 million benefits. There are no restrictions. Someone mentioned that women have no limits, and I want them to come to that understanding. Women can hold CEO positions if males can. We are minimizing the tasks we perform- managing a house and ensuring the daily availability of food. We can put it into practice elsewhere.
So what motivated this vision?
I invested in my own personal and self-development, which have increased my self-awareness and helped me realize that life is about what I can do for others rather than myself. You can feed, and dress, live in a house you may have built, and believe to be comfortable. As I started personal growth, I understood it wasn’t about the level of comfort. It’s about how I can help others feel more at ease. Therefore, we are more fulfilled when we can help others rise. When we can push others to become, and when we can boost others. And I am motivated by that. Bringing up women and assisting them in becoming fulfilled brings me joy.
Do you think getting some women who cannot come here, is a bigger challenge for you?
Upon contemplating such individuals, I raised the charge to FCFA10,000. Since the conference price alone does not cover the cost of the facility or the meals, I made it affordable for everyone to raise awareness. However, I believed it was my sacrifice, my gift to women, and what I could do to help more women redefine themselves. It is heartwarming to learn that other women share their tales of starting small and growing into powerful individuals who manage millions, which is good enough to inspire. Even if you were doing something minimal, there is no small woman from this conference. No woman is small because the seed inside of them can grow and become a big tree.
What message are you sending to other women outside there?
I want women to know that they are meant for more and that where they are is only the beginning of where they can be. Thank you.
Interviewed by Leocadia Bongben