To mark 16 days of activism: Team Europe announces epic concert against Gender-Based Violence.

 The free concert, which will be part of Team Europe’s sensitisation campaign against GBV in the country, is scheduled to take place Saturday, November 25 at the Yaounde Multipurpose Sports Complex as from 5p.m. 

The announcement was made yesterday during a joint press conference in Yaounde. The presser was attended by the EU Ambassador to Cameroon, Jean Marc Chataigner, and the ambassadors of Spain and Belgium.

The aim of the presser was to unveil the various activities which Team Europe intends to undertake during the 16 days of activism against GBV. These activities, it was revealed, shall run from November 25 to December 10.

One of these activities, the concert, which is expected to pull hundreds of youth from the nocks and crannies of the country, shall feature performances from musical icons. 

Some of them include legendary Makossa artist, Ben Decca, Kareyce Fotso, Armand Biyag, Rinyu, Lydol and Mr Leo.

Speaking during the presser, the EU Ambassador, Jean Marc Chataigner, said Team Europe resolved to come together because the fight against GBV is in line with the values of the European Union and its member states. 

In Cameroon the EU counts five members; Germany, Belgium, Spain, France and Italy. The EU Ambassador called on the population to massively turn out for the concert, which, he promised, will be life-changing. 

He said it shall be an opportunity for several actors present to join their voices as one people and stand against violence on women and girls.

“We have to stand together as one around the world in Europe and Africa for this universal fight against violence on women and girls and also inequality between men and women. We want to send across this message positively through joy and excitement through this event in partnership with the Cameroonian youth and artists. The message we shall be driving is that we are all together in the fight against violence on women and girls. I want to invite everyone to come on Saturday evening so that we should join our voices in this collective fight for equality,” Chataigner said. 

He also added that: “It is a collective motivation that we are together in this fight and we are fighting for equality and for the respect of the rights of women and young girls. We have to address new issues, new varieties and it is a matter of urgency to address these issues”.  

Chataigner used the presser to reiterate the commitment of the EU and Team Europe’s commitments towards the fight against GBV. The EU Ambassador also urged women and children to be bold. He said they have to summon courage to speak out so that perpetrators will be brought to book.

Besides the concert, there shall also be several activities carried out by Team Europe during the 16 days of activism against GBV. 

Other activities include; the unveiling of the portrait of 16 women active in the fight against GBV, a programme on the sensitisation for the fight against cyber harassment and a conference on how women can break the silence, scheduled for November 29.

There will also be an international conference on the rights of people living with disabilities and inclusive education, as well as an exchange with students on the occasion of the 75^th anniversary of the Declaration of Human Rights, at the campus of the University of Yaounde II.

Team Europe's panel addressing the media during press conference

Team Europe says time to act now

Speaking earlier, the Ambassador of Spain to Cameroon, Ignacio Garcia Lumbreras, revealed that Team Europe resolved to collaborate together in order to have greater impact during the 16 days of activism against GBV.

He revealed that this year they shall be laying emphasis on sensitising the population through a series of activities. 

The Ambassador bemoaned the fact that there has been an increase in the number of cases of GBV in the country. He expressed optimism that through the actions of Team Europe, they shall be able to curb the numbers significantly.

On his part, the Ambassador of Belgium to Cameroon, Eric Jacquemin, recalled that the fight against GBV remains a universal problem. 

He, however, stressed on the fact that the education of young people should be a priority. He also revealed that there are several legal instruments in place, which could be exploited to their advantage.

Prevalence of cyber harassment, violence 

According to political, media and communication adviser at the French Embassy, Lisa Plesse, there is a rising phenomenon of cyber harassment and violence, which also needs to be addressed.

She disclosed that cyber harassment and violence, which happens principally online, has been the new mode of operation for perpetrators of GBV.

Lisa Plesse also saluted the courage of several Cameroonian women who braved the odds to champion the fight against GBV in the communities. 

She said women and girls need to be supported and protected. She hoped that through massive sensitisation they shall be able to take a bold step to eradicate GBV.