From the foothills of Buea to the corridors of global climate summits, Dr. Zoneziwoh Mbondgulo-Wondieh—known simply as “Zo”—has cultivated a remarkable journey as a feminist storyteller, movement architect, and human rights strategist. This is the story of a visionary whose work transcends borders and generations.
Born in March 1985, Zo became immersed in activism from a young age. She pursued a Bachelor’s in Environmental Sciences at the University of Buea, Cameroon, and went on to earn a Master’s in Women and Gender Studies there.
Her academic path expanded internationally with an MSc in Sex, Gender & Violence from the University of Aberdeen, and she is now progressing toward a PhD in Conflict and International Relations at Buea .
In 2009, at only 23, Zo founded Women for a Change (Wfac)—a feminist NGO dedicated to ensuring sexual and reproductive health rights, leadership, and empowerment for women and girls.
Under her leadership, Wfac has nurtured feminist consciousness through grassroots programs—ranging from peer-to-peer sexuality education in rural communities to leadership workshops and advocacy training for young women.
Zo’s digital advocacy amplified her reach, translating international human rights frameworks like the Maputo Protocol and the Beijing Platform for Action into campaigns that resonate with rural women throughout Central Africa.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, she mobilized Wfac to provide menstrual hygiene supplies, translated health guidelines, and digital connectivity support to girls and women left out by the digital divide .
Her influence expanded regionally in 2019 with the launch of GenEgalité-ECCAS, a platform uniting feminist activists across 11 Central African countries to amplify women’s leadership, climate justice, and gender equality efforts.
In March 2021, Zo was appointed to the civil society advisory group of the Generation Equality Forum, speaking at the United Nations on International Women’s Day about elevating feminist leadership and agency.
Her environmental activism carried her to Nairobi in September 2023 as part of the Women and Gender Constituency—now serving as a regional coordinator—for climate policy inclusion at the African Climate Summit.
There, she brought grassroots voices to the forefront, making women’s narratives central to climate justice debates.
Zo’s accomplishments reflect a continuum of activism and recognition: a 2013 Global Citizen Award for Humanitarian Reporting; selection as an Obama–Mandela Young African Leaders Fellow; a Women and Peace Fellowship at Africa’s Leadership Centre; and a fellowship in residence at McGill University.
Piloting change across the spheres of gender justice, digital empowerment, and environmental equity, Zo stands as a trailblazer in Cameroon and beyond—a leader whose blend of storytelling, feminist strategy, and grassroots mobilization is shifting narratives and crafting a more equal future.
