CRID’s women are marking the 39th International Women’s Day with two activities
CRID’s open day on Wednesday, March 6th, was a resounding success! The event attracted a diverse group of visitors, including students and researchers from various backgrounds. We were really pleased to welcome 115 pupils from four local schools – Rain Forest International School, Collège Bilingue les Cocotiers, Africa First College, and College Saint Germain – who took part in the day’s activities.
A team of primarily female researchers from CRID led the day’s program. They gave visitors a great insight into the fascinating world of mosquito research. The program included: an informative presentation about CRID’s work, a guided tour of the laboratories and insectarium, showcasing the mosquitoes housed there, demonstrations of mosquito collection and mosquito net testing procedures. The activities were done in an interactive format allowing visitors to ask questions and gain a deeper understanding of CRID’s ongoing research endeavours. In total, around 145 people visited CRID, demonstrating the strong community interest in the center’s vital work.
In honor of International Women’s Day, the women of CRID organized a fun-filled evening on Thursday, March 7th. This event provided a welcome break for CRID staff and offered an opportunity to engage in discussions around the theme: “Investing in Women: Accelerating the Pace.” The highlight of the evening was a lively debate featuring a diverse panel consisting of Prof. Charles Wondji, Executive Director of CRID, Prof. Marceline Djuidje Ngounoue Epse Ndzie, Associate Professor of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology & Immunology at University of Yaoundé I, Mrs. Enerstine Mbee, Finance Officer at CRID, and Dr. Guiffo Nguette Daniel, Researcher at CRID. The debate was moderated by Mrs. Sonia Ngongang.
The insightful discussions emphasized that investing in women goes beyond individual action. Men have a crucial role to play in supporting women’s advancement. The panel concluded that true progress requires women to continuously develop their intellectual skills to compete effectively at a professional level, ultimately achieving equal opportunities. The message to women was clear: invest in yourselves by honing your skills, building confidence, and expanding your abilities.
In addition to the debate, an awareness session on women’s health was carried out, featuring a discussion led by Dr. Onguene André Paul (physician) and Ms. Tessy Kulu (PhD student). The session focused on raising awareness of breast cancer, cervical cancer, and high blood pressure, empowering staff with preventative measures. The evening culminated in celebratory activities like performances, karaoke, dancing, and a quiz, marking the conclusion of CRID’s Women’s Day events.
