2020
Messaline Fomo
- Age: 30
- | She/her/hers
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Youths have long been told that they are the leaders of tomorrow. Our best bet in leading that future is by securing the here and now. It begins by being examplary, innovative, and creating long-lasting impact wherever we find ourselves. We cannot shy away from responsibilities and must maintain strong solidarity among ourselves.
- Messaline Fomo
Bio
Messaline Fomo was born and raised in Cameroon. She received a Doctor of Medicine from the University of Buea in 2018. As a Medical Doctor at Ministry of Public Health, Bangangte District Hospital, Messaline is in charge of the maternity unit. She is responsible for routine outpatient consultation and follow-up, overseeing the day to day running of the service, in charge of the management and follow-up of pregnant women throughout pregnancy to delivery and after delivery. Additionally, she ensures the prevention of maternal to child transmission of HIV and organizes community health activities in search of HIV-positive women who are lost-to-follow-up. Messaline is also a First Aid volunteer with Cameroon Red Cross, Research Fellow at Clinical Research Education Networking and Consultancy, and Medical volunteer for the Michael and Mauritia Patcha Foundation.
What ignited your pursuit for gender equality?
Working as a medical doctor in rural communities where restrictive gender norms still prevail, I have witnessed many adolescents and young girls endure life-altering traumas, many of which would have been avoidable if given access to the right knowledge, services and effective support system. It is the hurt and deep sorrow I felt while treating these patients that sparked my zeal to pursue gender equality.
Please share your biggest wins as an advocate for gender equality.
In commemoration of the International Day of the Girl Child, I led a comprehensive and interactive educational talk regarding sexual health to young girls and boys in secondary school on the prevention of sexually transmitted infections particularly HIV, pregnancy, and safe sexual practices. A month later, I was so happy when one of the students opened up to me for advice and told me she was able to turn down her boyfriend who wanted to have unprotected sexual intercourse thanks to the education she received.
Outside of your gender equality advocacy work, what do you enjoy doing?
Outside work, I enjoying outdoor activities such as swimming and volleyball and watching movies.
Languages Spoken:
- English (Advanced/Native)
- Pidgin English (Advanced/Native)
- French (Intermediate)
- Pidgin English (Advanced/Native)
Speaks On:
- CSE
- menstrual hygiene management education to adolescent boys and girls,
- education and coping with sickle cell disease
Past Awards, Certifications, or Fellowships:
- Result-Based Project Management: Monitoring and Evaluation
- Health System Strengthening
- MOGi Global Leadership
