National Peace Table in Yaounde: Canada High Commissioner lauds Reach Out Cameroon for enhancing peace, social cohesion.

The event which brought together grassroots women peacebuilders, civil society leaders, and stakeholders from diplomatic missions, UN agencies, and the government, was geared towards charting pathways for improved social cohesion in conflict-affected communities.

Organised by Reach Out Cameroon, the event is part of a project funded by the Peace and Stabilisation Operations Programs, PSOP, of Global Affairs Canada.

The project which has been ongoing since July 2022, is titled: “Peace Tables: Promoting WPS through a culture of peace and social cohesion in Cameroon”.

The Director of Promotion and Protection of the Family and Children Rights at the Ministry of Social Affairs, Moto Francisca, on behalf of the Minister of Social Affairs, Pauline Irene Nguene.

Speaking during the event, the Canadian High Commissioner noted that women, peace and security are firm basis for Canada’s foreign policy. 

The Canadian diplomat then saluted the implementation of the Canadian sponsored project by the Reach Out Cameroon of which the results are already visible. 

“We are very happy with the way Reach Out Cameroon has taken this project in a collaborative way and we see more and more women leaders and men working with women leaders of all diversity and disability to empower themselves and their community,” she said. 

She further mentioned that: “I am really grateful to see how this project has been put forth and all the cooperation from traditional and religious leaders, the regional administration and government of Cameroon. So, we are together in order to make sure that we are reinforcing the voices of women for peace and security”. 

Ambassador Lorraine Anderson highlighted the importance of ensuring that women are granted the platform for their voices to be heard, taken into consideration and used to ensure more social cohesion and peace in the community. 

Enter Esther Omam

Taking the rostrum, the Executive Director of Reach Out Cameroon, Esther Omam, credited the Canadian government for recognising women’s potential in peacebuilding through the provision of funds for such project. 

The multi-award activist stated that the convening of peace tables, not only permit to dialogue around local realities and generate local solutions to challenges, but also reaffirm their commitment to inclusivity and gender equality and harness the collective wisdom of diverse communities. 

She underscored the need to invest in education and capacity-building initiatives that empower women with the skills and knowledge necessary to engage effectively in peacebuilding efforts.

These efforts consist of training in conflict resolution, detection of early warning signs and prevention of violent extremism, deradicalization, mediation, and community mobilisation. 

She then urged the participants to reaffirm their commitment to empowering women as peace leaders at local and national level. 

“By harnessing their untapped potential, we can create more resilient, inclusive, and peaceful societies for generations to come” Esther Omam reiterated.

Stakeholders hail initiative

The different participants at the National Peace Table have unanimously saluted the initiative which the say will go a long way in enhancing peace and social cohesion in the communities.

“The meeting we are having today is going to be very useful,” Hon Becky Effoe of the South West Regional Assembly told The Guardian Post.

The Regional Councillor further mentioned that the discussion forum will help them ascertain the areas that need more attention such as budgeting and alleviating women from the negative impacts of the conflicts.

On her part, Prof Anjoh Frii-Manyi Rose of the North West Regional Assembly revealed that they have been collaborating with Reach Out Cameroon on issues on women, peace and security in their region.