Promoting the Value of Education in Equatorial Guinea

Montserrat Masela Ebang Andeme — Equatorial Guinea

March 6, 2008—Calm, quiet and modest but determined, Montserrat (Montse) Masela Ebang Andeme has accomplished a great deal in her 58 years. Though life has not been easy, she says she considers herself lucky and grateful for everything she has achieved.

Montse is from Equatorial Guinea, one of the smallest countries in Africa. Though she currently lives in the capital, Bata, she was born and raised in the village of Mbé-Nsomo in the northeastern area of the country, near Cameroon. It is a rural area that produces crops such as cocoa and coffee. Her parents were farmers who could barely read and write, and she was one of seven children.

As a young girl she dreamed of learning languages and becoming a teacher. Though the odds were against her, she achieved that dream in a country where many children never finish secondary school.

Montse says she understands the importance of education. “[Though] all children have [legal] access to an education, whether they finish depends on how and where their family lives and what value they give to education. I have arrived where I am today because of my education.”

The widow managed to raise seven children and complete two degrees, one in education and another in law, despite having few economic means.

“What I am most proud of is giving my children a leg up, giving them the opportunity to study,” she beams, ever the proud mother. Later she adds, “I am also satisfied that I got my law degree with all the complications I had to go through, and at my age.”

Montse’s achievements took her in the direction of community service. She works with the Agrupación Agrícola Bisio, a savings and loan cooperative. The organization has been providing low cost loans to famers in Equatorial Guinea for sixteen years.

Montse and the other workshop participants strengthened their leadership skills at the workshop  including their abilities to present in front of a group.

“When I get back to my country, I am going to work to make the cooperative function better, but the training I received here will help me manage my family better. And, definitely, it will help with life in general.”

She says that life for women in Equatorial Guinea is far from easy. The country’s constitution stipulates equal rights for women and men, but there are still prevalent societal beliefs that confine women to their traditional roles. For example, though there is no legal discrimination against women with regard to inheritance and family laws, there is still discrimination in traditional practice. Girls in Equatorial Guinea are much less likely than boys to complete primary school, and many are married early.

“I would like to see more women trained in my country, because that is the only way they will value themselves, attribute the appropriate value to things and better contribute to change society.”

Montse wants to see changes in her society that will bring true equality for women.

“My role in that change can be wide...I can start to sensitize, offer advice and encouragement to girls that their future depends on their studies and because I have some influence in the community, I can advise women about the importance of change, and how they should recognize when something is wrong and want to make it better.”

Read more about CEDPA's training programs.

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