Visionary Reports

Women expressed satisfaction in the Grand National Dialogue

 After the Grand National Dialogue that ran from the 29 of September to October 4 2019, women in the Littoral region have met to evaluate women’s participation. Under the patronage of the Women International League for Peace and Liberty (WILPF) Cameroon, expressed satisfaction to the fact that women’s voices we heard in some aspects during the National Dialogue. They were happy that women were represented in all the eight commission of the Grand National Dialogue. They were equally satisfied with the fact that a woman was head of one of the commissions. Although some of their proposals were not taken into consideration, the women said it was a moderate start towards involving women in peace building process.

It is on record that women are the hardest hit in most conflicts reasons why they are a strong force to reckon with in peace building. In Cameroon, women constitute more than half of the country’s population as a result their inclusion in peace talks is of prime importance. Against this backdrop, the president of WILPF Cameroon Sylvie Jacqueline Ndongmo explained that it was necessary to evaluate women’s participation in the Grand National Dialogue. She said their objective was to work for peace and reduce conflict in Cameroon and worldwide. “After mobilizing to ensure that women’s voices were heard during the national Dialogue, it was necessary for us to evaluate to see if women were truly represented and if their proposals were taken into consideration” she added.  She further explained that women cannot be isolated in peace building process as a result their contributions were imperative.

 Madam Sylvie Jacqueline Ndongmo thanked the Cameroon government for giving women a chance to tell their own side of the story during the Grand National Dialogue. To her ever since the conflict in the North West and South West region erupted, the government have to an extend given a listening to ear to women. She said the gruesome murder of Madam Florence Ayafor of the Bamenda central Prison on the eve of the Grand National Dialogue was a clear indication that the government needs to change strategy and get women more involve in all aspect peace building in Cameroon.