Protecting Children’s Rights: Here Comes Novelist Djaili Amadou Amal!

“I am proud to be UNICEF’s Goodwill Ambassador. I will help to ensure that young girls complete school and become models in their society. I will also see to it that children’s rights are protected by lobbying different authorities; and continue my work as a creative writer to highlight the plight of young girls, women and children in general,” said Djaili Amadou Amal. She made the commitment in Yaounde on Friday, March 5, 2021 after being presented to the public as the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF Cameroon’s newest Goodwill Ambassador.

Djaili, an award-winning novelist and crusader for girl child and women’s rights in Northern Cameroon, was introduced to the media by Jacques Boyer, UNICEF Cameroon Country Representative. Boyer felicitated the winner of the 2020 “Goncourt des Lycéens” prestigious French literary prize for accepting to add her voice to the cause of children in Cameroon. Listing UNICEF’s areas of concern, Boyer said Djaili is expected amongst others to make field trips, lobby authorities and help to raise funds for the promotion of the protection of children’s rights.

Amal said she felt comfortable in her new role, being a former victim of forced, early marriage. The novelist said after successfully fleeing from the torture of a forced relationship, returning to school and remarrying, she did not want any young girl to fall into the same trap. Today, through her association “Femmes du Sahel,” she caters for the school needs of 400 young girls in Northern Cameroon each academic year. By ensuring that they do not only go to school, but remain...