Chevening @40: Alumni join fight against GBV, make recommendations.

The symposium was organised on the sidelines of the celebration of 40 years of existence of the Chevening scholarship scheme. The scheme began in 1983.

The symposium brought together Chevening Alumni, members of Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, Non-governmental Organisations, NGOs and gender activists.

Opening the event, the British High Commissioner to Cameroon, H.E Barry Lowen, said “we must end violence against women and girls”. He noted highlighted that about 1/3 of women will experience GBV in their lives.

The diplomat stated that GBV is not just a problem for the women or girls, but a problem for men and all societies. He said through activism “we have a sense of hope, that we can end the frustration”.

“I have been inspired by the efforts you are making to end GBV so there is a real sense of hope that together we can make a difference,” he continued.

The President of the Cameroon Chevening Association, Nchunu Justice Sama, talking to the press, said: “We are proud to celebrate 40 years of nurturing leaders worldwide, 40 years of impactful education, 40 years of harnessing and contributing to academics worldwide”.

He encouraged the Alumni to continue marketing the Chevening Scholarship scheme and also impacting their communities in their various schemes.

The discussions focused on two principal topics including women and political leadership in Cameroon and Gender-Based violence in a crisis context with focus on the North West and South West and the three Northern regions.

The Vice Chancellor of the ICT-University Cameroon and Chevening Alumnus, Prof Emmanuel Pondi, encouraged participants and women in particular to have “the drive, determination and idea that you will make it”.

He urged women to inculcate good values in their male children. 

“A boy’s personality is built at the age of 0-10 years and that time he spent with the mother,” Prof Pondi said, before insisting on parents to “develop ideas that prioritise the community and not individuals”.

For her part, Senator Regina Mundi reminded women that they have power more than they think.

Encouraging more women to get into politics and create more impact, she said “start working on your list today against future elections, start with productive activities in your community or your municipality so when the time comes, you will have backing”.

Women’s challenges

During the symposium, some of challenges women face which hinders them from fully exploring their potentials were discussed.

The low level of women’s representation in the political sphere in Cameroon was also identified.

Elections Cameroon

Chief of Service in the Division for Communication and Public Relations at Elections Cameroon, ELECAM, Sende Bende, speaking during a panel discussion, highlighted the role the elections management body is playing to combat Gender-Based Violence.

She cited the handing of important posts of responsibility to women within the institution. Bende said her institution rejects non-gender sensitive lists for municipal elections.

About CAMCHEV

The Cameroon Chevening association is a registered body that brings together Cameroonians who are fellows and scholars of the prestigious Chevening scholarship scheme. 

The association counts about 300 members in Cameroon who are from various professional backgrounds and the objectives include; enhancing collaboration and togetherness amongst the members, marketing the Chevening scholarship itself and providing assistance to potential applicants and taking steps to contribute towards impacting communities using their professional skills, as well as contributing to societal development, cultural and socio-economic development of the country.