Thirty-seven year-old Varvara, inspired by the women working at the IRC, firmly believes in the equality between boys and girls. As a father of two girls, his support for them is unwavering.
Due to the ongoing conflict and resulting violence and insecurity in Cameroon, it is estimated around 4.7 million people may need humanitarian aid in 2023. Having lived in the Far North of Cameroon since birth, Varvara has become passionate about the right for girls to go to school in his community. He is part of the local parent-teacher association, and together with the IRC staff, they hold meetings with other members to discuss problems of access to education.
It is now time to close the gap between male and female education. That is why with the financial, technical, and material support provided by IRC, we can close this gap and ensure girls have the same right to education as boys
According to Varvara the reason girls face educational neglect is because Cameroonian society believes schooling will not help them secure jobs. He has, on the contrary, observed how women are wanted for many different services. He says, “It is now time to close the gap between male and female education. That is why with the financial, technical, and material support provided by the IRC, we can close this gap and ensure girls have the same right to education as boys.”
Varvara’s dream for his daughters is for them to be able to speak and write in French and English, and one day be able to financially help their own families. He disagrees with the societal pressure for women to marry as a priority. He says his first responsibility as a father is to be a model example to others in the community by encouraging his daughters to continue their education.
In witnessing women teaching and working for organisations like the IRC, he is convinced that education for girls will allow them to become an important part of the community. Concerned, he says, “We know that in the world today we cannot have an organised society without women and girls. If a girl goes to school, and the parents’ guide her through it, she can fit anywhere in society.”
The IRC, financially supported by the European Union (EU) through a three-year multi-country programme, has been supporting families, such as Varvara’s, with working school materials for their children. This has helped many families save money. The Programmatic Partnership with the EU helped school-aged children in Nigeria, Niger, and Cameroon access quality education and protection services by supporting the local communities. In Varvara’s village, since the association did not have enough funds, the IRC programme also gave aid to volunteer teachers and provided the school with infrastructural needs.
Now the general secretary of the parent-teacher association, Varvara outlines their main goal, “Our mission is to ensure that children go to school, regardless of gender.” They carry out door-to-door educational sensitisation for parents so that their children, especially their daughters, receive an education.
Varvara knows it is vital to tell community members that the advantage of education is not only self-sufficiency, but about “being able to read and write first.” Having benefited from education himself, Varvara explains, “What motivated me to give value to education was when I could pick up a document and read it to determine its importance. This is what makes schooling essential. He is determined that girls be a part of society in Cameroon, especially in public service. He steadfastly trusts that the way to allow that to happen is to expose them to the world through education.
Now the general secretary of the parent-teacher association, this committed father outlines their main goal, “Our mission is to ensure that children go to school, regardless of gender.” They carry out door-to-door educational sensitisation for parents so that their children, especially their daughters, receive an education, enabling theme to see how they can help parents where necessary.Some need financial help to send their daughters to school, which the association then provides, and others need to be shown examples of other girls going to school to see the positive benefits.
He has a hands-on approach to his own daughters’ education, and incentivises them to get good grades with rewards. As a supportive and caring father, he says, smiling; “If they fail I am still proud of them.” Seeing the positive effects of his work, Varvara says delightedly, “Today some girls have big dreams.”
The International Rescue Committee partners with the European Union to provide life-saving support to people caught in conflict and disasters around the world. Our work funded by the EU enables people to survive, recover and rebuild their lives.
