Candle light walk activity commemorating the 2022 International Women's Day
The candle light walk was an activity sponsored by Call for Action (CAFI) for Field Implementation on prevention of Gender-based Violence in Emergencies. This activity in the north west region was led by CAGEAD with 04 of the 05 other CAFI partners also present.
This activity held on the 18th of March 2022 was commemorating the 2022 edition of the International Women's Day which could not be celebrated on the 8th of March due to the on-going crises in the region. Over 60 participants drawn from the Ntambru neighbourhood in new lay out Nkwen Bamenda gathered at the quarter head’s compound. CAGEAD took advantage of the existence of one of her dynamic community peace clubs in that locality - The Ikong (LOVE) peace club – to host the activity there. The community peace Ambassador (CPA) who animates thus peace club mobilized the population for the activity.
The event had 2 main activities;
- Group discussion (mini workshop) on GBV and sensitization on the relevance of the theme of IWD-2022
- Candle light walk
After a welcome word and introductory remarks made by the CPA, Mr. Toh Sylvester, the programs manager at CAGEAD, Mme Ngongba Assumta presented the raison d’tre of the meeting which was a commemoration of the International Women Day 2022 under the banner of the Call to Action on the prevention of Gender based violence in Emergencies. She explained what the Call to Action is all about. It is a multi-stakeholder initiative launched in 2013 to fundamentally transform the way gender-based violence is addressed in humanitarian emergencies. The aim is to drive change and foster accountability so that every humanitarian effort, from the earliest stage of a crisis, includes the policies, systems and mechanisms to mitigate gender-based violence risks, especially violence against women and girls, and to provide safe and comprehensive services to those affected by gender-based violence.
The second engaging activity was the candle light walk which was done in the same community. The participants processed from the quarter heads compound to the main road and back with their lighted candles. The also held placards bearing messages on the protection against all forms of Gender-Based Violence against women and girls, ensuring the active involvement and participation of women in peace making processes as stipulated by UNSCR 1325, and calling on all people to engage , educate and empower a woman for they are nation builders.
Many participants expressed their joy as they did the candle light walk especially as they did not have the chance to march, during the women’s day celebration. They thanked CAFI and CAGEAD for making the remember the good times before the crises when they participated during IWD activities.