Building Skills in AGYW to combat GBV.
CAGEAD BUILDS SKILLS TO FIGHT SGBV,GENDER,INEQUALITIES, SRHR VULNERABILITIES, PROVIDES DIGNITY KITS AND FOOD HAMPERS TO ADOLESCENT GIRLS AND YOUNG WOMEN IN BAMENDA
As the most vulnerable in times of conflict and amidst covid-19,women need to be given adequate knowledge on existing society norms that affect them. On the 9 and 10of October 2021, the Center for Advocacy in Gender Equality and action for development-CAGEAD, a local NGO based in Bamenda Cameroon brought together 20 adolescent girls and young women at the Immaculate Conception center. This get together was aimed at educating the young girls and women on their Sexual Reproductive Health Rights, creating awareness on Gender Based Violence, providing dignity kits and food hampers to the girls.
The first day of the workshop was characterized by presentations, from different presenters and group activities. The session began with introduction from participants in a round circle, and a brief introduction to the project objectives and a mapping of the workshop expectations.
The workshop on the first day was characterized by presentations on the different gender concepts, the forms of gender based violence, Sexual reproductive health rights, and correct use of social media apps to fight against GBV and advocate for the rights of a girl child.
Marion lyn, a participant said that she is happy to have learnt about her sexual health and the different forms of GBV, and also how to take care of herself during menstruation and where she can go to with a GBV case and she will educate her other peers on what she has learnt.
“I never knew that the social difference a girl and boy has is as a result of gender. I used to think that it was natural but now I know that they are socially constructed and I also know more about Gender based violence and the referral pathway for survivors” says Atema Melaline, a 19 year old undergraduate.
The second day of the workshop was for the distribution of the food hampers, dignity kits and transport support to to access medical services. The girls were appreciative to HER VOICE FUND and CAGEAD for all the items they received.
The CEO of CAGEAD, Mrs Waah Clotilda Andiensa is the country lead for HER Voice Fund Cameroon, and has a network of other organizations that are grantees to the HER Voice Fund. This activity was an emergency respond to the challenges that AGYW face during COVID-19 and the conflict in the region. CAGEAD is a local organization that specializes in empowering women and girls for sustainable development.
By Verina Mondua