Gender based violence in Conflict zones: HOFNA steps in with response and preventive measures in NW/SW

By Bakah Derick 

Bamenda based not-for-profit non-governmental organisation Hope for the Needy Association HOFNA Cameroon has launched a robust response towards Gender based violence GBV in the conflict hit North West and South West regions of Cameroon.

The response was launched in Bamenda during a three day workshop from April 17-19 on the theme “building safe spaces for women and girls and building the skills of women leaders in Responding to and preventing GBV in Crisis and Conflict.” The workshop coming within the HOFNA POWER (Promotion of Women’s Economic Empowerment and Rights) Project permitted the over 200 women who attended in Bamenda and Buea to discuss and share ideas on modules such as Gender, Power and violent conflict, GBV in conflict and Gender and peace building.  

 

Cross section of Women at Buea Workshop 

After speaking during the workshop on security, peace, gender and peace building, empowering women in peace building and mediation skills for peace building, the Founder and Executive Director of HOFNA Christelle Bay C. told the participants and the administration represented at both closing events by NW Governor Adolf Lele L’Afrique in Bamenda and Divisional Officer for Buea that “insecurity of any kind anywhere threatens peace of all kind everywhere and at HOFNA, we believe that there peace comes when there is no violence against women and girls. The saddest reality today is that our children, who are often the most vulnerable, are the targeted agents being used to exercise violence and extremism. And us - women remain those who bear the pain of it all. The repeated scenarios of violence in our communities each day that claim innocent lives are fresh in our memories and indeed constitute a real Tragedy.” Within this backdrop she added that “It is in the face of this tragedy, that good people like these women have come together, to lend a hand to build a better future for their children and families. We hereby pledge our support of every effort, right from every family in countering radicalization and violent extremism, and raising our voices as well as taking our stand for one thing only - Peace.” 

 

HOFNA Director Training during the Bamenda Workshop

With the understanding that peace is the calm in the mind, body and spirit of every woman and girl, the women made a peace declaration. In a peace declaration, the women appealed to government amongst other things to intensify the call for an end to hostilities which will drastically reduce GBV mostly upon women in times of violent conflicts and to partner with women’s groups and organizations to foster peace especially in conflict ridden zones. The women urged the international community to amongst others support baseline research on the actual conditions on the ground in terms of the numbers and location of IDPs and support perception studies from the grassroots that will enhance a proper understanding of the conflict from the perspective of those involved. Due to the growing levels of misinformation and disinformation, the women have urged the media to invest in the coverage of the numerous contributions made by women towards the attainment of peace and report government policy on the conflict effectively, with an aim towards effective public understanding of the issues at stake. The women have also called on the public to amongst others shun negative narratives that do not represent the truth but rather seek to rouse anger towards violence and to open up to organizations and individuals who propose a peaceful path towards conflict resolution.

 

Muma Yvonne Civil Society activist inspiring the women

 While acknowledging the devastating consequences of the armed conflict in the NW region, NW Governor Adoph Lele L’Afrique like the Assistant DO for Buea enjoined the women they described as mothers of humanity to encourage their children who have taken up arms to drop them and return to normal life.   

 

The fireside meetings during our workshops a safe space for the women to share their stories

The POWER project supported by the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany continues in Buea in the days ahead with the training of women leaders on response to or preventing of GBV in conflict. A community radio program intended to prevent GBV, establishment of a helpline for the reporting of cases of GBV and the training of internally displaced young women and teenage mothers on sewing, embroidery and beading for income generation.