Actors in the fight posed for pictures |
By Ndemen JB
The
project launching and signing of protocol agreements took place on Friday,
March 27, 2015, in the Bafoussam City Council Hall, between the NGO, MAHSRA and
a dozen traditional rulers of the Western Region. The project code names “The
advocacy campaign against sexual violence” is expected to reduce and stop
violence against women. The ceremony was chaired by the Secretary General at
the Governor’s office, Simon Emile Mooh. Speaking at the launching, Simon Emile Mooh
said that he expects a strong involvement of the administrative and traditional
authority in the eradication of all forms of violence against women.
For
his majesty Soukoudjou Jean Philippe Rameau, the Paramount ruler of Bamendjou,
it is not enough to sign the agreement for the sake of it. The initiative of
this NGO is commendable. Fight against violence against women, is a good thing,
but it has to become a reality. I am willing to communicate about the issue,
and educate my community provided it is practically implemented, he concluded.
It
is nevertheless recognized that these days, women are still exposed to all
forms of violence, like genital mutilation, beatings in homes, rape, enforced prostitution,
humiliation or including early or forced marriage. To the Secretary General, it
is all about raising awareness about the dangers of these retrograde practices
that relegates women and dehumanizes them. Simon Emile Nooh reminded
traditional rulers of the relevant provisions of the Cameroonian contribution
that advocates gender equality, both human rights in general and the rights of
women in particular.
Paramount fon signing the agreement |
It
should be noted that MAHSRA is recognized by Cameroon law and the Office of the
United Nations Economic Council. Hence
the strong presence of all the paramount rulers of the MiFi, Bamboutos, the
Kung-chi and others was indicative. Dr. Kelly Ngyah, CEO of the MAHSRA NGO
created in 2006, recognizes that traditional rulers have a lot of influences on
their populations. "Through them, the message will quickly pass and thus
the lives of abused women will change. The rulers will defend the rights of
women. Their commitment would just say that if people violate the rights of
women, they will take legal action,” he said.
Under
the initiative titled: Enhancing Local Leaders’ Capacities in Preventing Sexual
Violence Against Women, the official public presentation ceremony that held on
Friday the 27th of March 2015 at the city council hall in Bafoussam, once more
proved the organization’s commitment in transforming high level policy
prerequisites into locally understood contexts and easily enforced measures.
Under the distinguished patronage of the governor of the West Region, the
occasion was graced by the presence of the deputy British High Commissioner to
Cameroon Mme HALIMEH Allison Marriott, the senior divisional officers of
Mifi, Bamboutos, Koung-Khi and Hauts Plateaux divisions,
and over 14 paramount chiefs from the localities of Bafoussam, Bamougoum,
Baleng, Balacthi, Bamessingue, Babadjou, Bagang, Baham, Bamendjou, Bameka,
Bahouan; Bayangam, Bandjoun and Batoufam.
Citing
the Cameroon government’s will as duly transcribed through its ratification of
several international conventions such as: the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights (UDHR); the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination
Against Women (CEDAW); the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against
Women and the Declaration on the Right to Development, the CEO reminded the
audiences and authorities present that as a legally registered entity both
nationally and internationally and with a consultative status to the United
Nations Economic and Social Council, MAHSRA had a duty to ensure that global
growth objectives are transpired through experience-based interactive sessions
between the targeted beneficiary victims and the responsibilities of their
governing authorities.
Following
the enumeration of gender violence acts such as rape, child abuse, defilement,
incest, sexual abuse and exploitation, forced prostitution, sexual harassment,
humiliation and confinement, female genital mutilation, underage and early
marriages, the CEO pinpointed to the local leaders that with their leadership
influence over their people, they have a duty to enlighten and ensure such
people and women do not continue to suffer in ignorance meanwhile retarding the
local development expectations of their communities. In so doing, he reminded
them that they had a duty to uphold and enforce due legal accountability
measures against the perpetrators of sexual violence acts against women and
other illegal gender discriminatory practices.
On
the part of the deputy British High Commissioner, she congratulated the efforts
of MAHSRA and appreciated the local government and traditional authorities to
have taken out time and engaged their voluntary consent to come together in
unity to combat the sexual violence practices that are faced by the community
women in their localities.
When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)
No comments:
Post a Comment