Yaounde: Organisation schools bike riders, christians on rape prevention.

The project was carried out under the theme: “Community-based approach to rape prevention and support for rape survivors”. 

It was an initiative of the NGO in advocating a rape-free community and also promote the mental well-being of survivors of all forms of violence.

Their first stop was at the Etoug-Ebe neighbourhood in the Yaounde VI Subdivision where they met with a group of bike riders. 

On the choice of bike riders as one of their targets for the sensitisation campaign, the founder of Safe Haven and team leader, Dinayen Emilien, stated that most often, these group of persons are indexed in cases of rape.

“We are using bike riders because most of our survivors were raped allegedly by them and since they work right up to the late hours of the night, we want them to instead protect these girls instead of taking advantage of them,” Dinayen said.

Aiming for the bike riders to be activists and to also play a key role in the prevention of rape, the founder of Safe Haven, appealed on them to see every girl or woman as their sisters and mothers and to help them when they are in danger.

“We are talking to bike riders today because a girl who is going through that violence or trauma somewhere can their sister, so they should please endeavor to always help in order for us all to have a rape free society,” she pleaded. 

Bike riders reveal challenges

Some of the bike riders who spoke to The Guardian Post, expressed their willingness to join the fact but also stated that some of the girls who are victims of rape provoke it because of their indecent dressing and bad manners. 

A rider who gave his only name as Peter, said sometimes it is also challenging for them to interfere in such things because they are also scared of their lives and don’t want to attract thieves to themselves.

“Sometimes when you help to stop a girl from been harassed, the person or people involved get angry and start coming after you threatening to kill or maybe steal your bike so that is why we choose to mind our business,” Peter averred.

The riders assured the organisation of their support in combating rape, stating they will use their popularity in their various streets in telling the population around to stop such practices and instead help in protecting girls and women.

Christians sensitised on sexual abuse

The sensitisation by the organisation was not only limited to bike riders as churches were also targeted.

According to Safe Haven, some of the survivors opened up, disclosing they were raped by pastors and church leaders.

Christians were drilled on sexual abuse and prevention of violence in their homes and communities. 

The organisation guided the Christians not to use their positions in church to force themselves on vulnerable people who come to the church for help.

The organisation recently visited the Presbyterian, Catholic and Baptist churches, where Christians were reminded to live by example and be advocates for mental well-being of youths and young girls.

About project  

The youth-led organisation focusing on the mental well-being of survivor of all forms of violence in the community, carried out this project in partnership with Rescue Women Cameroon who targets survivors’ voices against rape.

The project is the result of the 4th edition of the annual conference by Rescue Women Cameroon in March 2024, indulging other non-governmental organisations in advocating rape prevention.

As part of its activities in creating awareness, Rescue Women Cameroons grants funds to other organisations for raising awareness to the public. 

Among the winners of this year’s 4th edition was Safe Haven who won grants to carry out this sensitisation campaign in the city of Yaounde.  

This story was first published in The Guardian Post issue No: 3156 of Tuesday July 02, 2024