COWOPNET: Engages 30 men as partners in promoting peace in the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda

Facilitator presenting project to participants

On June 25th, 2025, the Community Women Peacebuilders' Network (COWOPNET), an initiative of CAGEAD, in partnership with the Association de la Lutte contre les Violences faites aux Femmes (ALVF), successfully hosted a workshop in Cameroon's North West region. The event brought together 30 male community leaders and council officials from six divisions - Momo, Bui, Menchum, Boyo, Mezam, and Ngoke-Tunjia - to engage men as partners in implementing United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 (UNSCR 1325) In the Northwest region of Cameroon. The workshop aimed to equip participants with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to promote the Women, Pecae and Security Agenda.

 

Facilitator facilitating worshop

During the presentation, the facilitator emphasized the importance of women's participation in decision-making processes, highlighting the need for effective Participation, Protection, Prevention, Relief, and Recovery for women peacebuilders as outlined in the four pillars of UNSCR 1325. Given that women comprise 50.16% of Cameroon's  population (UN/World Bank 2023), she stressed that they should be at the forefront of decision-making in society.

President Association de la Lutte contre les Violences faites aux Femmes (ALVF)

According to Mme. Memong Meno Epse Mooung Elise Pierrette, president of the ALVF, women are an integral part of peace building in society, considering the fact they are mothers, sisters, and wives to both the military and the separatist fighters, therefore their role is crucial as they able to start peace negotiations from their homes then to the community.

 A thought-provoking discussion ensued when a participant questioned why women often prefer male leaders despite outnumbering men in gatherings. The facilitator attributed this phenomenon to deep-seated societal norms, explaining that the perception of men being more valuable than women has had a lasting impact on women's leadership aspirations.

Mr. Meh Ransom (community based rehabilitator for Wum)

Mr. Meh Ransom noted that, 

"Engaging men as partners is crucial in advancing the Women, Peace, and Security agenda…We are committed to working together to build a more peaceful and inclusive society considering the fact that our community is faced with the farmer grassier issue. Women have the power to calm down their husbands, sons, and brothers in times of crises" 

Through this initiative, COWOPNET has taken a significant step towards creating a more inclusive and sustainable peacebuilding process in the North West region of Cameroon.

 

By Emmanuela Monie