Culled from The Observer007
The African football legend, Samuel Eto’o, continues to inspire far beyond the sports fields. The former FC Barcelona star, now president of the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT), has been appointed the new ambassador for the fight against gender-based violence by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Cameroon, according to Actu Cameroun.
This appointment strengthens the efforts to combat violence that particularly affects women and girls. With his fame and influence, Samuel Eto’o is now at the forefront of social mobilization for gender equality. He has promised to actively engage on the ground to encourage behaviors that respect gender equality.
Gender-based violence (GBV) continues to wreak havoc in several regions of Cameroon. According to a 2023 report by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), more than 1,700 people have been victims of such violence in the Far North of the country. These assaults take various forms, ranging from physical and sexual violence to forced marriages and domestic violence.
Samuel Eto’o’s commitment to this fight is seen as a major asset for raising awareness and changing mindsets. As a role model for millions of young people around the world, his voice carries far and could play a decisive role in reducing, or even eradicating, GBV in Cameroon.
