To boost fight against GBV: HEDECS Cameroon crusades integration of gender markers in national community led monitoring system.

It was presided over by the Sub Director for Primary Health Care at the Ministry of Public Health, Dr Idrisu Mbuih.

The aim of the gathering was to integrate gender markers and strengthen the recognition and approval of the women’s taskforce in Cameroon’s community led monitoring system. 

It was also intended to reinforce organisational and institutional capacities, establish strategic partnership for sustainability, integrate women-led organisations into the national health and community monitoring platforms as well as empower women to engage in community monitoring amongst others. 

The workshop was also an opportunity to present the report conducted by HEDECS-Power consortium and Task Force of women-led organisation in seven regions of Cameroon in the health, education, and family life sectors.

According to HEDECS, about 4,209 women/girls, with an estimated 600 persons per region were reached. 

Out of this number, 4,173 agreed to speak out and share their stories about Gender-based Violence, GBV. Following the publication of the report, there was an appeal for actions to be taken to protect women and girls against GBV. 

Enter HEDECS Cameroon Executive Director

Speaking to the press, the Executive Director of HEDECS Cameroon, Bolima Nancy, bemoaned the fact that there have been several cases of GBV recorded in the country. 

Bolima explained that women experience GBV like refusal to socioeconomic rights like verbal violence in homes and communities, sexual violence, rape, physical assault. 

She said there was a need to act and “to advocate for the integration of gender markers into the national Community led monitoring process and also in the national program and strategies so that the voices of women can be heard in the process on GBV”.  

HEDECS boss lauds strides recorded 

The Executive Director of HEDECS Cameroon disclosed that since the creation of the organisation, they have recorded significant progress. 

“FEDECS is leading nine other women-led organisations and they have become the women-task force. We are the advocates for GBV, moving in communities and empowering them to speak and to release the pains and the frustrations that they have related to GBV across the board,” Bolima said. 

Bolima also added that: “HEDECS is also in the steering committee of the women for global fund which is a global network that advocates for gender equality and equity especially for women and girls”. 

Victim encourages peers to speak out 

During the workshop, one of the victims of GBV, Beltivatte Mutoh, shared her tear-provoking story. Mutoh told reporters that she experienced psychological and emotional violence from close friends and some relatives. 

“I have received insults and abuses which really made me look down on myself. It affected not only my self-esteem but also my health because I turn to sit and think of those insults that I have been receiving,” she said. 

Mutoh insisted that “it affected me because while experiencing GBV, I never spoke to anyone. I kept it to myself. But after braving the odds, thanks to the support of HEDECS, she has encouraged others to speak out and “not keep things to yourself”.  

“It is good that when you are experiencing something bad or going through a situation, you should speak out. When you keep it yourself, it can lead to something else. You can even get to a social worker, even your pastor, share your problems with him/her,” Mutoh pleaded. 

MINSANTE comments efforts, pledges support

On his part, the Sub Director for Primary Health Care at MINSANTE, Dr Idrisu Mbuih, heaped praises on HEDECS Cameroon for their contribution in the fight against GBV. He also said that the ministry was committed to supporting the initiatives of HEDECS. 

“We are behind HEDECS. We have been working with them because we have seen that their initiative is good. They are really putting women into the game. That is what we know because in communities we have women that are speaking,” Mbuih said. 

Mbuih also said that: “The Minister of Public Health is aware that women are being cheated in many forms in society. We appreciate what HEDECS is doing because they are trying to bring women into action”.  

This story was first published in The Guardian Post issue No3133 of Thursday June 06, 2024