Female inclusion and economic development: A case of Cameroon

The current thesis aims to investigate the status of the economic development in Cameroon and female inclusion problems. We use National Institute of Statistic of Cameroon to describe the situation and determine problematic areas. Our investigation particularly aims to uncover the level of women inclusion in Cameroon while putting a special focus on education. The study makes use of annual data on Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and assets of household survey between two time periods of 2007-2011 and 2012-2016 and the different education statistical data available on UNESCO and World Development Indicator of 2016. The paper finds that due to a global amelioration in female inclusion effort Cameroon also benefitted from such change. This positive change can be detected from the concentration curve on employment. Unfortunately, the concentration curve has been sharper over the years, which can be interpreted as increased efficiency without equity. So, it can be concluded that growth in Cameroon has not been as inclusive because as growth advanced equity did not. Hence, despite positive developments, women inclusion still faces many problems in Cameroon which can be confirmed by their very low representation in important function of the country. In addition, the number of girls having a chance for proper education is low in Cameroon. Further we move forward in education, we observe that lesser percentages of females presented in each category of education: pre-primary, primary and secondary. In order to deal with this state of affairs Cameroon must focus on encouraging females and create policies to facilitate their insertion. Since female inclusion plays an important role in the workforce and make the economic growth sustainable and durable, such policies are required. For the inclusiveness, the government should be more concerned on formulating policies that will award the betterment of growth equally and reduce inequality. The government should put a system that will guaranty universal primary and secondary education, affordable vocational training, and easy access to higher education for both sexes; and also, promote education base on gender equality and women's rights. The state has to consider female needs in their planning and budgeting. Cameroon has to adopt policies encouraging opportunity for everyone without considering background of the attendees. Government should promote policies that encourage entrepreneurship and job creation to offer decent work for all women, as well as men. Government should promote social protection and gender-sensitive economic policies.