LARDIN Hosts First-Ever Empower Her Future 2026 Summit in Limbe, Launches Girls Leadership Network and Year-Long Empowerment Initiative

Theme: “Educated. Empowered. Equipped to Lead.”

In commemoration of the International Day of the Girl Child, Legacy Action and Royal Development Initiatives (LARDIN), in collaboration with Limbe I Council, successfully hosted the first edition of the Empower Her Future 2026 Summit on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at Trinity Hotel in Limbe, Southwest Region of Cameroon.

Held under the theme “Educated. Empowered. Equipped to Lead,” the summit brought together over 100 girls and young women between the ages of 13 and 24 for a day of leadership development, mentorship, education, innovation, financial literacy, personal safety awareness, and environmental action. The participants included Indigenous girls and girls with disabilities.

The event marked an important milestone in LARDIN’s commitment to advancing girls’ leadership, promoting equal opportunities, and creating supportive platforms where girls can develop the knowledge, confidence, and practical skills needed to shape their futures.

Opening Ceremony and Welcome Remarks

The ceremony commenced with a symbolic ribbon-cutting led by LARDIN and a representative of the City Mayor of Limbe, officially marking the opening of the summit.

Welcome remarks

Welcome remarks were delivered by LARDIN’s Vice President, Mrs. Marie Aji, on behalf of the organization’s Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Geraldine D. Musi, who was unable to attend in person due to international commitments.

In representing the President and Chief Executive Officer, the Vice President welcomed the distinguished guests, government representatives, facilitators, participants, volunteers, and members of the LARDIN team. The opening remarks reflected the organization’s continued commitment to investing in girls’ education, leadership, mentorship, protection, and empowerment.

The keynote address

The keynote address was delivered by Madam Mwene Agnes Senge, Director of Women’s Empowerment and the Family, underscoring the importance of empowering girls through education, leadership opportunities, protection, and meaningful participation in community development.

LARDIN was honored by the presence of Dignitaries

LARDIN was honored by the presence of representatives from the Office of the City Mayor of Limbe, Limbe I Council, Secondary Education, the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and the Family (MINPROFF), the Youth Council, the Divisional Delegation of Environment, and the Divisional Delegation of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises.

President of the Cameroon National Youth Council

Also present was Madam Etala Caroline, President of the Cameroon National Youth Council, who shared words of encouragement with the young participants. Her message reinforced the importance of believing in one’s potential, embracing opportunities for personal development, and taking an active role in shaping communities and the future.

Importance of Collaboration

Their participation highlighted the importance of collaboration among public institutions, community stakeholders, and civil society organizations in advancing the well-being and leadership potential of girls.

Eight Interactive Workshops to Equip the Next Generation of Leaders

A central component of the summit was a series of eight interactive workshops facilitated by resource persons across key areas of girls’ development. The sessions combined learning, discussion, practical engagement, and opportunities for participants to express their ideas and aspirations.

One of the defining features of the workshop program was its round-table mentorship model. Rather than having participants passively receive information throughout the day, the program organized girls into thematic discussion groups, with facilitators guiding each session and mentors engaging directly with their mentees.

Round-table Mentorship Model

Each table created an opportunity for participants to ask questions, share perspectives, exchange experiences, and explore practical lessons related to the subject under discussion. Facilitators guided the conversations, while mentors supported the girls as they reflected on the different topics and connected them to their own lives, goals, and aspirations.

This approach encouraged active participation, peer learning, and meaningful interaction between the girls and the women supporting them. It also helped create a welcoming environment in which participants could speak openly, learn from one another, and receive guidance tailored to their interests and needs.

The workshops included:

Her Voice, Her Future — Leadership and Confidence

Encouraging girls to recognize their potential, develop self-confidence, communicate effectively, and embrace their capacity to lead.

Her Mentor, Her Role Model — Women in Leadership

Highlighting the importance of mentorship, positive role models, and women’s contributions to leadership and community transformation.

Girls in STEM, Digital and AI

Introducing participants to opportunities in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, digital innovation, and artificial intelligence, while encouraging them to explore emerging fields and future careers.

Money and Independence — Financial Literacy and Entrepreneurship

Building awareness of financial responsibility, saving, entrepreneurship, and the importance of economic independence in shaping girls’ futures.

My Body, My Rights — Protection, Rights and Safety

Promoting awareness of personal safety, protection, dignity, rights, and the importance of creating environments where girls can learn and thrive free from abuse and discrimination.

Girls as Climate Leaders

Encouraging girls to become active contributors to environmental protection, climate action, and sustainable community development.

100 Girls, 100 Ideas for Limbe — Innovation Challenge

Providing an interactive platform for participants to share ideas, explore creative solutions, and consider how young people can contribute to addressing community challenges in Limbe.

My Leadership Commitment — Girls’ Leadership Pledge

Inviting participants to affirm their commitment to personal growth, responsible leadership, positive community engagement, and the pursuit of their educational and professional aspirations.

Together, these workshops reinforced the summit’s central message: girls must not only be encouraged to dream but also equipped with the knowledge, skills, support, and opportunities to turn those dreams into reality.

Recognizing Facilitators and Celebrating Participants

At the conclusion of the workshop sessions, facilitators received certificates of recognition in appreciation of their contributions, expertise, and commitment to the development of girls.

Participants

Participating girls also received certificates of participation in recognition of their engagement throughout the summit.

These moments celebrated the collective efforts of the resource persons, mentors, organizers, and participants who contributed to the success of the inaugural edition.

Launch of the LARDIN Girls Leadership Network

One of the summit’s major highlights was the official launch of the LARDIN Girls Leadership Network.

The network is intended to provide a platform through which girls can connect, share experiences, strengthen their leadership skills, access mentorship opportunities, and encourage one another as they pursue their goals.

The launch represents an important step toward sustaining the connections established during the summit and encouraging continued engagement beyond a single event. It also provides a foundation for maintaining the relationships developed through the round-table mentorship sessions.

Introducing the Empower Her Future Initiative

The summit also marked the official launch of the Empower Her Future Initiative, a year-long program designed to extend opportunities for girls’ leadership, education, mentorship, and empowerment in Limbe and beyond.

Through this initiative, LARDIN seeks to build on the momentum of the summit by supporting continued learning, leadership development, skills-building, mentorship, and opportunities for girls to participate meaningfully in their communities.

The initiative reflects LARDIN’s broader commitment to advancing equitable opportunities and helping girls develop the confidence and capabilities to become leaders, innovators, entrepreneurs, and agents of positive change.

A Collective Commitment to Girls’ Empowerment

LARDIN extends its sincere appreciation to Limbe I Council, the representatives of government institutions, the keynote speaker, workshop facilitators, mentors, volunteers, the dedicated LARDIN team, and all stakeholders whose contributions helped make the inaugural summit possible.

Special appreciation goes to the more than 100 girls and young women who participated with enthusiasm, curiosity, and a willingness to learn, share, and lead.

Although LARDIN’s Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Geraldine D. Musi, could not attend in person, the summit reflected the organization’s ongoing vision of creating inclusive opportunities for girls to learn, grow, and lead.

The success of the first edition provides a foundation for continued action through the newly launched Girls Leadership Network and the year-long Empower Her Future Initiative.

For LARDIN, girls’ empowerment is not a one-day activity. It is a sustained commitment to building communities where every girl is valued, protected, educated, and equipped to realize her potential.

Educated. Empowered. Equipped to Lead.

The journey has begun, and LARDIN remains committed to helping girls shape a more equitable, inclusive, and sustainable future.