By Bakah Derick
Over 200 women from across the South West/North West Regions have made public their intentions and readiness to pursue peace to any length in the restive region.
Over 200 women from across the South West/North West Regions have made public their intentions and readiness to pursue peace to any length in the restive region.
The women made their intentions public in two separate instances in Bamenda and Buea, in a strongly worded
“Women Peace Declaration” at the close of three day workshop for women
leaders in the regions organised by the Bamenda based not-for-profit
non-governmental organisation NGO Hope
for the Needy Association HOFNA Cameroon.
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NW Governor (in black traditional
wear) poses for picture with the Women Peace builders
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The
declaration from the Women Peace Builders note that; “Since 2017 with the
upsurge of violent conflicts in the North West and South West Regions of
Cameroon, there has been complete upheaval in the lives of citizens in these
two regions. The constant killings, abductions and other forms of human rights
abuses, including increase in the incidences of gender based violence have
rendered citizens insecure and constantly on the run to safer zones.”
Citing
Current data from international Human Rights Organizations, the declaration
adds that “hundreds of thousands are internally displaced including refugees in
Nigeria. The pressure of this displacement on the socio economic conditions of
the receiving cities cannot be estimated. Hundreds of thousands of our children
no longer go to school because more than 90% of schools in the two Regions are
no longer operational. In view of these
conditions, we find that peace is the only way forward. Without peace, there
will be continuous insecurity for majority of the population and violence
against women and girls. Peace will allow for an environment for development to
flourish.”
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| Closing event picture in Buea with Assistant DO for Buea (in Black) |
While
resolving to raise their voices till they are heard for the discontinuance of
violence, non-radicalization of boys and girls and eventually the achievement
of lasting and positive peace, the Women stated “we as Cameroonian women commit
ourselves to the cause for peace by pledging our time and other resources to
activities that will lead to a transformation of the conflict zones. Some of
these activities include raising awareness in our communities and among our
peers on the benefits of sustainable peace; lobbying national and international
structures, both governmental and non-governmental, who have the capacity to
bring pressure on conflicting parties and at the same time support grassroots
structures to build resilience – provide psycho social support and humanitarian
aid to conflict affected areas; engage a critical mass of women who can
participate in peace acts and in raising awareness as well as spreading the
message of peace.”
Addressing the closing ceremony of the three day workshop prior to the declaration, the Founder and Executive Director of HOFNA Cameroon Christelle Bay Chongwain explained that the workshop which was centered on the theme “Building safe spaces for women and girls and building the skills of women leaders on response to and prevention of gender based violence in conflict”, guided the participating “women leaders to uncover the link between gender, the link between gender, power and violence and how to respond to and prevent gender based violence and other forms of violence in our communities. Our theme, she added “ties squarely with the current situation of insecurity witnessed in our communities especially considering the fact that women and girls remain the most affected. Our women are using the platform to raise their voices and to call for unity, determination, patriotism and collective efforts in addressing gender based violence in particular and all forms of violence that hinders women and girls from realizing their full potentials.”
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| Dr Wirgo Training the girls in one of the sessions in Bamenda |
Addressing the closing ceremony of the three day workshop prior to the declaration, the Founder and Executive Director of HOFNA Cameroon Christelle Bay Chongwain explained that the workshop which was centered on the theme “Building safe spaces for women and girls and building the skills of women leaders on response to and prevention of gender based violence in conflict”, guided the participating “women leaders to uncover the link between gender, the link between gender, power and violence and how to respond to and prevent gender based violence and other forms of violence in our communities. Our theme, she added “ties squarely with the current situation of insecurity witnessed in our communities especially considering the fact that women and girls remain the most affected. Our women are using the platform to raise their voices and to call for unity, determination, patriotism and collective efforts in addressing gender based violence in particular and all forms of violence that hinders women and girls from realizing their full potentials.”
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| Christelle Bay C HOFNA Executive Director Addressing the women and administration in Buea |
According to the HOFNA team
leader, “peace is the calm in the mind, body and spirit of every woman and girl
and raising women’s voices for this kind of peace represents an ideal approach
and response as we understand and have built our skills on the very vital roles
women have to play as the first nurturers of humanity – from mediation
processes to identifying radicalization processes at an early stage or
developing and making for alternative narratives to radicalization and violent
extremism. Our program calls for us ALL to continue to engage in meaningful
exchanges in the face of our differences, whether religious, cultural, age,
political, social or gender related – geared towards one thing only – PEACE.”
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| Christelle Bay C Executive Director Speaking in Bamenda |
“Your Excellency Mr. Governor we in HOFNA believe that nothing can
satisfactorily justify violence of any sort. We believe even more that in this
essential conviction of no justification for violence, we must use the
happenings to understand how women can work to remain agents of peace in the
face of violence, radicalisation and extremism. In this regard, we have used
this forum to localize the concept of peace and build women’s skills on the relationship
between gender, peace and conflict and building on the understanding that each
and every woman, from every family must take a stand for true peace – from
peace in the home to peace in our families, communities and the world.”
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| Women in tears in Bamenda |
During the Bamenda event which coincided with the Christian Holiday of Good
Friday an emotional song on peace presented by one of the participants caused the
women burst into tears as she fell on the feet of NW Governor Adolph Lele
L’Afrique Tchoffo Deben.
Visibly moved emotionally by the action of the women, the regional head
assured the women that government was making frantic efforts to arrest the
situation. He urged the women to encourage those who have taken up arms and are
in the bushes to drop them with the disarmament commission.
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| Munteh Florence HOFNA Programs Manager training in Bamenda |
Created about 10years ago, HOFNA Cameroon has engaged similar
activities amongst them, The Enhancing
Multicultural Dialogue for Peace Project, The One Cameroon Initiative, The
Girls Leadership Boot camp, The Girls Leadership development Initiative. The
three day workshop falls with HOFNA’s on-going POWER (Promotion of Women’s
Economic Empowerment and Rights) which has other components including community
radio program, setting up of survival networks and establishment of a helpline to
facilitate reporting of cases of Gender Based Violence.