" Working for Justice and Peace is a Question of Balance."

Improving social cohesion and combating Gender Based Violence in the Archdiocese of Bamenda

Attachments:
Download this file (Picture4.png)Picture4.png[ ]632 kB
Download this file (Picture3.png)Picture3.png[ ]581 kB
Download this file (Picture2.png)Picture2.png[ ]730 kB
Download this file (Picture1.png)Picture1.png[ ]923 kB

Since the 15th of June 2022, the Justice and Peace Commission of the Archdiocese of Bamenda has engaged 6 communities (from Bafut, Akum, Bambui, Mankon and Azire parishes in Mezam division of the North West region) in raising awareness to help reduce incidents of GBV, experienced in local communities, improve social cohesion and promote peace.

This initiative dubbed “Reduce the incidents of Gender Based Violence (GBV) of vulnerable persons affected by the ongoing Anglophone Crisis in the Archdiocese of Bamenda” has enhanced the capacities of 30 community leaders who have carried out awareness raising in their communities, using sports as a rallying medium. this has seen hundreds of persons- women and men, come out to relax during fun filled football encounters organized.

The sporting activity harnesses a good number of participants and spectators from all age groups of the community with the objective to create laughter and excitement.

Sensitizations have focused on creating awareness for community members on the manifestations of the different forms of GBV, emphasizing that GBV harms the victim and our community as a whole. Equally, the spirit of tolerance as demonstrated through football has been the take home. The first level matches have been concluded with one team emerging from each of the 6 parishes. The second level is slated for the weeks ahead.

84 women /girls have participated in football matches as either players or match officials out of about 1200 persons (550 women and 750 men) involved, who had the opportunity to interact in an atmosphere of relaxation in their communities, amidst the tense situation in the region.

Interviewed participants appreciated the initiative which comes at a time when there is an increase in the incidents of GBV and non-tolerance among local communities in the crisis hit North West /South West regions of Cameroon. The 30 trained community leaders within the action are charged with the responsibility to identify GBV victims and survivors in their communities who are in need of assistance and link them up to the Justice and peace office for proper assessment and support.

Appreciations to the Diocese of Portsmouth England for their support.

AGEH supports the Justice and Peace Service of the Archdiocese of Bamenda with a Peace and Development Officer (PDO).

Laura officially welcomes the PDO to the JPSPeace and Development Officer with her familyJPS team with PDO and her family

Within the cooperation that exists between the Justice and Peace Service (JPS) of the Archdiocese of Bamenda and the Association for Development Cooperation (AGEH) under the Civil Peace Service, the JPS received a support staff from AGEH in the person of Frauke DiβelkÖtter who will join the JPS team as Peace and Development Officer (PDO) for a period of three years (2016-2019).

In a welcome dinner that took place on the 11th of March 2016 at Superclass Restaurant, Finance Junction - Bamenda, all the staff of the Service welcomed the PDO in particular, and her family to the JPS. They took turns to express how happy they are to have Frauke join the team. She was equally encouraged to feel at home and not to hesitate to express any of her needs, be it work-related or not.

The Coordinator of the Service on her part used this opportunity to throw more light on the work of the Service, and how it has been in dare need of a PDO, a position that has temporally been held by volunteers, under the CPS programme. She hoped that this opportunity greatly boasts the work of the Service, particularly in the area of Peacebuilding.

Frauke thanked the entire JPS team for the warm reception she had when she arrived Bamenda, and more especially for the welcome dinner. She equally promised putting in her very best to foster the work of the Service.

Countering Human Trafficking in Cameroon

This project saw the coming together of actors working to counter human trafficking in Cameroon.

STATUS (Completed) A sporadic training of actors working to counter human trafficking in Cameroon 2009 by AHNAT with support from SR. Patricia of COSUDOW Nigeria.

countering human trafficking

 

 

Partners

  • british-high-commission-yaounde
  • cameroon
  • crss
  • institute-of-peace-and-justice-san-diego
  • logo1
  • misereor-partner
  • ohchrights
  • unicef-partner
  • usa-department-of-state
  • usa-embassy
  • logo3
  • logo2
  • OCHA.png
  • UNDP.jpg
  • UNFPA.jpg
  • GERMAN EMBASSY LOGO.jpg