These are women who care deeply for the peace of the nation, its people and its posterity, it's prospects and its prosperity. Their rich experiences and excellent ideas will be discussed with each other for three days. They have painful memories as well and will be helped in a trauma and healing session dubbed "psychosocial village."
Straw Academy in a choreographed performance
The convention according to its organizers Friedrich Ebert Stiftung is sending a strong signal that Cameroonian women are longing for #peace. More than one thousand women from all corners and groups of society are in yde to unite their voices; women peace activists, displaced women and girls, victims of war-related violence, female traditional and religious leaders, female soldiers, women entrepreneurs, domestic workers, women from civil society and political patients and more.
Declaring open the conference, the Minister for the Promotion of Women and The Family, Madame Abena Ondoa nee Obama Marie-Therese , echoed that Women continue to be the most undermined in peacebuilding processes during crisis situations yet they are the most affected. While thanking these women peace crusaders from different regions and all those who have worked hard to see that this conference is a success to enable peace to return to the country , the Minister noted that the government of the Cameroon is available and willing to partake in any work geared towards achieving lasting peace in the country.
Minister for the Promotion of Women and The Family, Madame Abena Ondoa nee Obama Marie-Therese
As these women thronged the Yaounde conference center for the first ever women peace convention, in songs and dance they walked into the hall animated by men from the far north region of Cameroon playing their drums.
Sound of drums
Beginning their discussions at the Peace table, these women reflected calling on peace in Cameroon. The women drawn from diverse ethnic groups, religion during the moment of reflection were urged to pray their God (s) grant them the knowledge and grace towards building peace in Cameroon. The call for peace reflection which lasted for about five minutes, renewed the stands of these 1000 women towards building sustainable peace in their various communities and Cameroon as a whole.
Cross section of women at the convention
Presenting the background of the concept as initiator, the coordinator of Cameroon Women's Peace Movement (CAWOPEM), Madam Yvonne Muma talked about how fear, worry , burdens brought by conflicts in different regions pushed participants to attend the Peace Conference to seek ways and strategies to consolidate peace. Thanking the 38 Women Led Networks who worked whole heartedly to ensure that the Conference holds successfully, she tasked the participants to form a coalition because United vioces can Change the narrative.
President of Cameroon Women's Peace Movement (CAWOPEM), Madam Yvonne Muma
In a welcome address the resident representative of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation Nina Netzer called on women to be part of history. She said peace is essential for the development of every human society. "Women have united for peace, let's work for peace for us and our nation", Nina added
Resident representative of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation Nina Netzer
At the moment women are at the peace table ready to share ideas towards peace. Nothing will silence them or slow them down as they have come along with unwavering commitment to bring peace to Cameroon.
Pedmia Shatu
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