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The only way for evil to triumph is when good men and women sit back and do nothing in the face of evil.

This sentiment was the driving force behind a recent gathering of dedicated organizations including Family World International (FAWOI), united in their commitment to combat human rights abuses and promote gender equality.

The meeting, organized by the Association of the Vulnerable (ASOV) Buea, was not just a discussion forum, but a call to action. It served as a platform for these organizations to strategize, collaborate, and take decisive steps towards mitigating the injustices prevalent in our society especially with the exacerbating socio-political crisis in the North-West and South-West regions of Cameroon.

Focus and Outcomes

The essence of the meeting was not merely about acknowledging the issues at hand, but about taking collective responsibility and acting upon it. One of the key outcomes of the meeting was the formation of action groups, each focusing on different recommendations.

FAWOI was part of several groups like Cameroon Human Rights Commission-Buea, DIVAS, LIFEISSUES 237, ESFA, WOGED, HOFA, CIDA, MMDT Cameroon, Law Enforcement (CC Buea), DAREM, The University of Buea and Human rights Education, demonstrating their commitment to diverse aspects of human rights and gender equality.

The meeting resulted in the creation of the Community Coalition Against Human Right Abuses (CCAHRA). The coalition aims to facilitate easy communication among organizations, refer cases to those best specialized in the areas, and identify resources for better case management.

The Executive Director of FAWOI was unanimously chosen as the secretary of CCAHRA, further highlighting FAWOI’s pivotal role in this initiative.

Challenges and Recommendations

Despite the progress, challenges persist. The country’s state makes it impossible to register the coalition as an association. However, the coalition will be registered as a meeting, symbolizing different organizations and actors coming together to discuss human rights abuses. While not ideal, this workaround underscores FAWOI’s and its partners’ determination to continue their crucial work amidst adversity.

The key recommendations of this event were:

• The need to increase community awareness and sensitization across diverse groups and gender
• The need to build capacity and increase the number of Gender experts among Police Officers and Justice enforcers.
• The need for human, material and all necessary resources to increase sensitization and capacity building.
• Create Gender clubs in various schools be it public, private, professional etc.
• Including Gender education in school curriculum
• Revising discriminatory laws and cultural practices
• Advocacy to end impunity and ensure perpetrators are effectively penalized, while survivors receive a complete recovery process and get effective reinsertion into their communities
• Ensure effective security protection of community members by security forces

Conclusion

FAWOI’s participation in this initiative is a testament to its unwavering commitment to empowering families and building sustainable communities with women and girls at the forefront of action. By working collaboratively, FAWOI is not only addressing the immediate issues but also equipping individuals with the knowledge and tools to uphold human rights and promote gender equality in their communities. The journey is challenging, but with persistence and collaboration, a more equitable and just society is within reach. Stay tuned for more updates on FAWOI’s activities and initiatives.