The Role of Social the Protection Programmes in Promoting Economic Freedom for Women and Youth in Cameroon

Social protection programmes in Cameroon have long been designed as safety nets, but they often fail to address the structural inequalities that make women and youth economically dependent. The conventional approach, characterised by fragmented cash transfers, sporadic subsidies and underfunded vocational training fails to break the cycle of poverty. Rather, it promotes a culture of dependence rather than empowerment. While these programmes aim to provide financial relief, they do not create sustainable opportunities for advancement, ( Perera et al., 2022). The lack of long-term strategies to address systemic barriers such; as access to capital, market entry barriers and workplace discrimination has left these vulnerable groups in a perpetual state of economic insecurity, (Lawal et al., 2024). The objective of this policy brief is to critically examine the effectiveness of current social protection programmes in Cameroon, highlight their structural shortcomings and propose transformative strategies to convert them from palliative measures into instruments of economic liberation. A new approach that integrates financial inclusion, specific skills development and entrepreneurial support is essential to promote genuine economic autonomy for women and youth.

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