Dr. Solange Swiri Tumasang, Founder of Dr. Tumasang Swiri Foundation.
As the world marked the 41st edition of International Women’s Day, Cameroonian women’s rights advocate Dr. Solange Swiri Tumasang, in a powerful message, called for unity, justice, and concrete action to improve the lives of women and girls.
In a statement on March 8, 2026, Dr. Tumasang emphasized that while International Women’s Day is widely celebrated across the globe, it must also serve as a moment of reflection on the persistent challenges women continue to face.
“Today is a celebration,” she said, “but it is also a moment of reflection. Around the world, many women cannot celebrate today. Some voices have been silenced by violence, and some dreams were cut short by feminicide.”
A Call for Women to Support One Another
Dr. Solange Swiri Tumasang who featured among the 50 most influential women of Africa in 2024, urged women to strengthen solidarity among themselves rather than relying solely on external systems of support. According to her, meaningful change will occur when women actively uplift and empower one another.
“Women must learn to support women,” she stated. “Society often expects us to depend only on men for opportunities, protection, and resources. But we must prove that we can also stand, build, and uplift one another.”
Her advocacy stems from years of direct engagement with women and girls through mentorship initiatives and leadership programs.
A Voice for the Vulnerable
As a women’s rights advocate, leadership coach, University of Maroua lecturer, and author, Dr. Tumasang has mentored more than 1,000 women and girls through her leadership masterclasses and mentorship programs.
Through these initiatives, she says she has witnessed the daily struggles many women face. She recounts meeting girls forced to abandon school due to poverty, mothers unable to access proper healthcare, and women denied justice after suffering rights violations. “These experiences remind us that the rights to health, justice, and financial freedom are still far from reality for many,” she said.
From Advocacy to Action
Dr. Tumasang stressed that addressing gender inequality requires more than discussion. It requires combining justice with action, particularly in the fight against domestic violence. She also challenged women to reflect on their own role in shaping the future. “What are women truly waiting for?” she asked. “What rights must be addressed urgently? What is the rightful place of women in our societies?”
According to her, meaningful policy changes will only occur when more women are present in decision-making positions. “Until more women sit at decision-making tables, laws about women will not truly change,” she noted.
Inspiration from Naya’s Dream
Drawing inspiration from her novel Naya’s Dream, The Rising Sun in Mbatu, Dr. Solange Swiri Tumasang encouraged women to emulate the courage of the fictional protagonist Naya, who challenges societal expectations and speaks out against injustice. “She refused to remain silent when women were expected to be quiet,” Dr. Tumasang explained. “She spoke. She acted. She changed her community.” Through this message, she urged women not to remain observers in society but to actively participate in shaping the future.
Practical Steps for Change
Dr. Tumasang concluded her message by outlining simple yet impactful actions individuals can take to support women and girls. Support women-led businesses, buy from women entrepreneurs, mentor a girl, share personal stories to inspire others, speak out against injustice, report domestic violence, participate in decision-making circles, visit orphanages and support vulnerable widows, and provide educational talks in schools and communities.
She emphasized that collective action can create lasting change. “Let us empower the vulnerable, support the needy, educate the courageous, and amplify our collective voices until change becomes reality,” she said.
A Life Dedicated to Empowerment
Dr. Solange Swiri Tumasang is widely recognized for her work in leadership development and women’s empowerment. She is the founder of the Dr. Tumasang Swiri Foundation, NEWOLEC, and Kids for Kids Cameroon and serves as CEO of Authentic Lead.
An international multi-award-winning women’s rights advocate, she is also a peace lecturer with the International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG) and the author of the novel Naya’s Dream.
As celebrations for International Women’s Day continue around the world, her message resonates strongly: celebration alone is not enough; action must follow. “Let 2026 be the year we break barriers,” Dr. Tumasang said. “Women must not allow their destiny to be decided by others. We must be partakers in shaping the future.”
Happy Women's day
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