Clean up campaign 4 Peace: Bafut Community Unites for a Cleaner, Safer and Better Future

In a heartwarming display of community spirit, over 250 women and men from four different quarters and peace clubs in Bafut came together to participate in a clean-up campaign tailored by ALVF (Association de la lutte contre les violences faites aux femmes), and partners COWOPNET (community women peace network), with CAGEAD (Center for advocacy in gender equality and action for development) as the lead member of the network. In the project titled "Community Driven Actions for the Promotion of Grassroots Women Participation in Peace Building through Awareness Raising on UNSCR1325”, the initiative, aimed at promoting peace and cleanliness in the community, saw residents of Njibujang, Manka’a, Mbebali, and Manji join forces to sweep, clean, and beautify the market and its environs.

 

With wheelbarrows, machetes, hoes, spades, buckets, boots, soap and gloves provided by ALVF, through COWOPNET, the women worked tirelessly to transform their market into a clean and safe space. As they worked, they were reminded by team CAGEAD, that handled the activity, of the importance of peace and the need to address Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in their community.

 

The impact of the clean-up campaign was palpable, with members of the community expressing gratitude and appreciation for the initiative. The market master, in particular, praised COWOPNET and CAGEAD for bringing the community together for a common cause, noting that it had been more than eight years since such a large-scale community event had taken place.

The women participants were overjoyed, stating that the cleaned market would now be a safe space for them to sell and buy goods without fear of snake bites or other hazards. As one participant aptly put it, as Oliver Twist, "We want more!”, more clean-up campaigns that w ould keep them healthy and bring peace to their community.

The success of this initiative is a testament to the power of community led initiatives and the impact of collaborative efforts in promoting peace and development. As the people of Bafut look towards a cleaner, safer, better and more peaceful future, COWOPNET and CAGEAD's efforts serve as an example of what can be achieved when communities come together for a common cause.

‘Clean up campaign 4 peace’ a mantra that resonated deeply with the participants, and one that they promise to uphold in the days to come.

 

By Monie Emmanuela