By Leocadia Bongben
Convened by the Society of Gynecologists and Obstetricians of Cameroon, SOGOC, in collaboration with the Department of Family Health at the Ministry of Public Health, the ‘Introductory Meeting of the Technical Working Group on the Domestication of Article 14 of the Maputo Protocol’ took place in the conference hall of Camnafaw on February 12.
The main objective of the meeting was to evaluate progress, challenges, and perpectives and put everyone on the same level of information to avoid duplication of efforts.
Moderated by Moluh Inoussa of the Department of Family Health at MINSANTE, the event featured four presentations. Professor Felix Essiben, who set the basis of the meeting and clarified that SOGOC and its project Action for Comprehensive Abortion Care, ACAC, are not out to promote abortion, differentiated between safe abortion and abortion.
Dr. Mandeng Gilles, Director of Family Health, identified the progress made so far with the parliamentary session focusing on safe abortion, organized at the National Assembly. He hailed civil society organizations for their contribution, saying the doors of his office are open for collaboration.
Presenting the work done by Camnafaw, Buy Martial Mendo Ze presented a step-by-step process that led to organizing the parliamentary session with the support of technical and financial resources of the Organization for Dialogue on Safe Abortion, ODAS, present in 18 French-speaking African countries.
Didier Fotsing, from the ODAS, said his organization plays a unifying role among civil society organizations, state organizations, parliamentarians, and influencers. He said ODAS assisted CAMNAFAW in preparing and holding a session to read Article 14:2C of the Maputo Protocol. ODAS has organized and financed study trips to Rwanda for some of its members to participate in the Dialogue on Safe Abortion in French-speaking Africa held in October 2025 in Guinea.
A question-and-answer slot during the meeting provided more clarification to the participants from key ministries and civil society organizations.
A WhatsApp group will be created, and the next meeting will be scheduled with key ministries: Health, Justice, Women Empowerment, and the Family.
