Breaking the barriers

In contemporary african societies, women were regarded as commodities with a price tag, and her place or role was limited to the kitchen, child bearing and objects of pleasure. Worse of all, their voices were religated to the background in poitics, decision making and other societal issues.

Without undermining her role in the family and society at large, God created woman to work as a helper to man in other to help build humanity. But how can women help if they are not given the chance or opportunity to contribute to the growth of society?

Women have grown over the years in intelligence, technology, engineering, medicine and more, with a proven high IQ. All this qualities or values need to be put to use for the development of our communities. Therefore, if our communities must develop, then we must:

1. Stop Stereotype cultural norms that regards women as properties bought by a man.

2. Stop using women's bodies as a battle field to settle conflict amongst arm men. During conflict like the Anglophone crisis in the North West and South West Regions and the Boko Haram war in the Northern part of Cameroon, women and girls remain primary victims of GVB, with some being abducted, killed, raped and impregnated.

3. Get empowerment and combat poverty, which is one aspect that has led many women to suffer violence. Some women go through high level of violence because their lives are totally dependent on the man for financial support and feeding.

It is sad to say that men are overwhelmingly the perpetrators of GBV. To see violence being elimited, the attitude of both women and men must change.

We are raising our voices as one man and breaking the barriers with deep shouts and cries from within.

STOP THE VIOLENCE, I SAY STOP THE VIOLENCE. But how can it stop if women continue to keep silent?

Silence is violence and will only continue to fuel GBV in the society.

Some of the reasons why women keep silence and not report violence is because of:

1. Treat from perpetrators, some perpetrators issue life treats and blackmail to victims that hinders them from speaking up.

2. Fear of retaliation: Some women are afraid of what the perpetrator will do if they speak up, may be kill them with beatings. #STOP FEMINICIDES

3. Fear of the safty of their children. Some women fear that the perpetrator of GBV may revenge on their children.

4. Fear of shame

5. Lack of information about competent services to report violence to.

6. Laziness. Some abusers pay thier bills, and so cannot speak up.

We are not commodities, we are strong, we are productive and capable of handling every task assigned to us.

However, to end violence we must consider the following:

1. Include men in the advocacy campaigns. As the overwhelming perpetrators of GBV, involving them in educational programs and advocacy programs will help reduce the level of involvement in violent Acts.

2. Speak up when violated. Never keep quiet and cover violence. You may die in the process.

3. Give women a platform for Decision making. Let their voices be heard.

In other to sensitize the population of Limbe, HAND IN HAND Cameroon led by my humble self as founder, organized a series of school sensitization campaigns, TV campaigns on HiTV Cameroon, radio programs on Ocean city radio and eternity gospel radio. The awareness walk, organized under the patronage of the Ministry of Women's Empowerment and the Family in collaboration with the Limbe GBV platform that runs from the 25th of November to 10th December 2023.

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH, real men don't rape, we take a stand against violence are the shouts of over 300 women and girls in the town of Limbe who took part in the awareness walk on November 25th, 2023. As this marks the International day for the elimination of violence against women.

On Tuesday 26 Saturday to 2nd December 2023, we engaged school campaigns at Saker Baptist College Limbe and Daughters of Judah nursery and primary school Limbe, were we successfully sensitized over 1200girls and children, while engaging media programs on HiTV Cameroon, where we were able to sensitize the entire popular of the North West Region, South West region, West Region, Littoral Region, Center Region with a population of over 8million people and more. #notorape #stopviolenceagainstwomen

Read more on our activities on GBV and watch videos using the Facebook link 👇

https://www.facebook.com/speakupandbehealed?mibextid=ZbWKwL