Auteur/autrice : TimesNews2

As part of strategies to tackle rising cases of sexual abuse and violence of children, CAMCRIN and Plan International Cameroon embark on the implementation of judiciary clinics nationwide. It was disclosed on Friday 11th March 2022 in Yaounde, during a one-day advocacy workshop initiated by local based civil society organization network known as Cameroon Child Rights, CAMCRIN and Plan International Cameroon under the patronage of the ministry of women’s empowerment and the family, MINPROFF that judiciary clinics will be put in place with the help of government and key actors. The implementation of judiciary clinics described as cells or centers that will come in support of vulnerable children is one of the major points highlighted during the advocacy workshop that gathered various actors fully concerned with children’s rights. Dr Sayang Collins, interim country Representative of Plan International Cameroon, in his address has acknowledged the fact that with the advent of new forms of information and technologies, several strides have been made in terms of communication, thus paving the way to opened denunciations. He stated that: “Faced with the prevailing changes, some women who have become more aware of issues related to power relations and the influence of dynamics have organized in groups now in urban areas. They now have access to reflection forums, succeeding in taking part in debates, development issues and even part of decision making. For some, this has led to the transformation of their social, legal, economic and political status but for others, for whom the majority live in rural areas and particularly in some urban settings, relations and relationships with men are still publicly rooted in the traditional values mentioned above…” Speaking to participants and officials convened for the workshop, the interim country Representative of Plan International Cameroon unveiled critical figures which should be strangled for effective intervention. Dr Sayang Collins pointed-out the crucial need to silence sexual violence and abuse on children notably the girlchild, which persistently exist in many communities due to customs, traditions and beliefs. “Notwithstanding signs of modernity, women’s social and economic responsibilities have not evolved significantly. 39% of women and 42% of men aged between 15 and 49 years reported have experienced physical violence since the age of 15. Regarding sexual violence overall, 13% of women aged 15 to 49 reported have experienced sexual violence by someone at some point in their lives. And 5% has experienced it recently in the last 12 months. More than 4 out of 10 women of the same age group in a union or in a broken union declared that they had at some point experienced violence in the form of emotional, physical or sexual violence… 6% of young women have already entered into first union before reaching their 15.” Dr Sayang said. The acting president of CAMCRIN on his part said despite concerted efforts by government to upgrade the status of the woman and the girlchild in Cameroon, there are still a wide range of gaps observed that should be filled in like under education of girls, access to justice, access to land etc. As he stated in his speech, it is with regret that they have noted the absence of a child protection code, the absence of an adapted justice with specialized jurisdictions for children, the lack of juvenile justice platforms at the central and local levels and besides, the weak policies and national instruments that highlight the rights of children. During his exchanged with media practitioners, the president of CAMCRIN, Leon Bertrand Enama said: “There are a lot of cases of violence and abuse recorded so far and if access to justice is not favourable, this will encourage more authors of such acts. It is therefore important for us to strengthen mechanisms that will help us have more sanctions and when these sanctions will be applicable, we shall find ourselves with abuse cases reduced in our communities. Reason why for this workshop, we targeted a great number of key actors in the judicial chain at the national level, we convened forces of order, social services, lawyers who are highly represented for judicial follow-up and besides, civil society organizations that will heighten sensitization on the ground as well as other actors such as traditional chiefs who have a key role to play in their various communities notably in terms of denunciation…” The advocacy workshop chaired officially by Mrs. Koukreo Maipa Wespa, Inspector number one in the ministry of women’s empowerment and the family was the occasion to spotlight the existing inequalities between girls and boys, women and men as a hindrance to the development of the country. As indicated by the Inspector of MINPROFF, the 37th edition of the international women’s day observed on March 8, granted opportunity to amplify the voices of women and girls in terms of discrimination and empowerment. Participating at the workshop Barrister Kuhsen Nicoline underscored the fact that as lawyers working with CAMCRIN they have been supporting many of their activities. She said: “We want to accompany CAMCRIN at the judicial level, be it at the start with cases of violence on children. We assist them, give them advice, do consultations if need be before the court. We noticed that CAMCRIN has been doing a lot with Plan International to protect the right of the child but as lawyers we can only assist them where they need execution of their rights…” Plan International Cameroon, as a leading organization that strives for a just world that advances children’s rights and equality for girls has carried-out a good number of activities to back-up CAMCRIN and help the government of Cameroon in the implementation of its various national policies such as that on Gender adopted in 2015. Elise Kenimbeni

As part of activities marking the 37th edition of the international women’s day on March 8, the female staff of the ministry of social affairs organized a gastronomic fair in Yaounde, Cameroon. After series of weeklong activities launched by the ministry of social affairs in order to celebrate the international women’s day observed every March 8, the female staff organized in grand style a gastronomic fair. The event that took place on March 7, 2022 at the esplanade of the ministry in Yaounde was an occasion to showcase the various traditional delicacies of Cameroon. As indicated by the Gender Focal point in the ministry of social affairs, the female staff have seized the occasion of the numerous activities launched to expose their culinary know-how. Maurine Ndengho, Inspector number 2, by the way Gender Focal point said the gastronomic fair has been chosen as one of their activities as a form of expression of the dynamism of women working tiredly everyday both in the office and at home. She said: “We just wanted to showcase the dynamism of a woman. We are in the office every morning, we come and we work, we treat files and back home again we still have time to take care of our families (husbands and children), so we wanted to really show to our male collaborators to savour the good cooking from their female colleagues. It is just to show that, a woman is a special human being, and a woman is a wonderful person…” The menus that were exhibited at the one-day gastronomic fair were from the various cultural zones that make up Cameroon. “We splitted the ten regions of Cameroon into four groups. We have joined the West and North-West regions that we call grassfields, that is why we have showcased meals like achu, koki, kati-kati fufu corn and then for others; we had the sawa cultural group which is made up of the South West and Littoral regions. Here we had ndole, ekwang, fufu and eru. And then for the Grand centre as commonly called, it is represented by the Center, East and South regions. We had okok, sanga, mbongo and for the Grand North that makes up the three northern regions, we had pap, rice fufu and their traditional okro soup known as lalo etc.” To commune with the female staff of her ministerial department, Social affairs’ Patroness, Pauline Irene Nguene cut the ribbon to officially open the gastronomic fair event. The Minister under the guidance of Gender Focal point was introduced to the different communities that exhibited their traditional meals. The Minister appreciated the variety and nice meals offered by the female staff. A group of dance and a fashion parade to highlight Cameroon’s multi-cultural facets were equally on the agenda of the gathering which is part of the grand celebration of March 8 2022 reserved by the staff of MINAS. The celebration of the 37th edition of the international women’s day (IWD) is placed under the theme: “Gender Equality today for a sustainable tomorrow”. Elise Kenimbeni

Social affairs Minister, Pauline Irene Nguene officially chaired the launching ceremony of the national program on capacity building of young girls and women in Yaounde, Cameroon. A two-day training programme aimed at upgrading the skills of young girls and women was officially launched in Yaounde, Cameroon under the patronage of social affairs’ Minister, Pauline Irene Nguene. The programme that took place on the 4th and 5th March 2022 at the national episcopal conference hall in Mvolye, Yaounde was placed under the theme: “The Empowerment of girls and women for sustainability and development.” Initiated by local based association known as Light outreach foundation international, LOFI, the programme that enters within the framework of the 37th edition of the international day of women, targets mostly young girls and women in great need of support and income-generating activities. Founder and national Coordinator of LOFI, Pastor Thomas Nkeh said openly that thanks to subvention granted by the ministry of social affairs to his association in 2018, over a hundred children were able to return to school. He said through the gesture, the Minister Pauline Irene Nguene has positively impacted in the lives of many children affected by the crisis. He said thanks to such training initiatives, many girls and women are able to have at least the minimum to feed on themselves and their families. “No foundation in the North-West region did what we did to promote back to school this year. We went to five villages, where no bike go to… We can still do more.” Pastor Nkeh Thomas said. Pastor Nkeh however acknowledged that many still need to be done in order to relieve the vulnerable communities and solicited the support of the ministry of social affairs at various levels. The need for an official authorization in abid to accentuate activities of LOFI; the need to reduce custom duties as the association receives goods from foreign partners in India and funding just to name these few were outlined by the Pastor who pledge for the continuous patronage of the ministry of social affairs. In her keynote address, the minister of social affairs praised the initiative which to her, is a quick response in the reinforcement and acceleration of the fight against social marginalization of women, the girlchild and other vulnerable groups in Cameroon. Minister Nguene said: “The training and integration of these major components of the population is of prime importance to the government of Cameroon. This reflects the government desire to develop multi-sectoral partnership for the benefit of vulnerable people in our communities, especially women and the girlchild through the establishment of numerous projects with key partners like LOFI…” Pauline Irene Nguene added that, there is need to encourage actions undertaken by LOFI which, despite the current crisis in the North-West and South-West regions braces up the challenges to support vulnerable groups there. LOFI through its various activities mainstreams government’s social policy in tackling inequalities and social injustices. “The training programme dubbed: Women and girls’ empowerment for sustainability and development comes in at the right time to join the efforts put in place by the ministry of social affairs in order to eradicate challenges faced by vulnerable groups in our nation like widowhood challenges, abandoned orphan children in our communities, marginalization and all sort of injustices on the girlchild, Gender based violence etc. All types of vulnerabilities… This training demands that we should reflect on the major challenges faced by the vulnerable groups in our nation, it is an opportunity for us to show our commitment to tackle these obstacles in our various communities, for we have the assignment to come up with sustainable contribution, for the consolidation of social justice, living togetherness, partnership and civic behavior for the development of our beloved nation…” The trainees were called on by the Minister to act as good ambassadors in their various communities with the aim of transforming and empowering themselves and other vulnerable groups. For the two day programme, seasoned trainers were selected to upskill the trainees on how to: set up their micro-businesses, soap and cake making, designing of clothes, dresses etc. The association light outreach foundation international intervenes in the areas of Gender Based violence, food security and livelihood, environmental sustainability, protection and peace building, recovery and reconstruction, education and health etc. Elise Kenimbeni

Madame Nka née Fouda Régine fait l’objet d’une cabale pour avoir protégé son établissement scolaire des impacts d’une grève des enseignants organisée par le mouvement « On a trop supporté ». Au plus fort de la grève menée depuis quelques semaines au Cameroun  par le mouvement « On a trop supporté » (OTS) ,  ayant mesuré les risques et évalué les premiers impacts négatifs sur l’ensemble de l’ établissement d’enseignement secondaire dont elle a la charge a Yaoundé ,des gendarmes ont été sollicité par Madame le Proviseur du Lycée de Biyem-Assi, par le canal du sous-préfet de l’arrondissement de Yaoundé 6,  dans le but de demander aux enseignants grévistes de manifester à l’extérieur de l’établissement scolaire. Un acte justifié par les dispositions de la loi N 98/004 du 14 Avril 1998 portant orientation de l’éducation au Cameroun.  L’article 27, alinéa 1 stipule que « l’enceinte d’un Etablissement d’enseignement est inviolable, alinéa 2 « les chefs d’établissement scolaire sont responsables du maintien de l’ordre dans leur établissement » alinéa 3 « l’intervention des forces de l’ordre ne peut y avoir lieu que sur réquisition expresse du chef d’établissement et alinéa 4 «  en cas de défaillance dans l’accomplissement de leur mission de maintien de l’ordre , les Chefs d’établissement sont supplées de plein droit par les autorités hiérarchiques ou de tutelle » Malgré ces dispositions légales respectées par Madame le Proviseur, le mouvement OTS, s’est fendu dans un communiqué rendu public le 4 Mars 2022 truffé de menaces à l’endroit du Chef d’établissement et aussi des forces de police et de gendarmerie. Un véritable brulot qui transpire de la colère et de l’aigreur des attitudes tout à fait contraire à ce qui est attendu d’un mouvement syndical qui se respecte. Un mouvement aujourd’hui divisé par des levées de mot d’ordre et des préavis de grève introduits au même moment. De quoi y perdre son latin. Ce qui n’empêche pas au gouvernement Camerounais de garder la main tendu vers les enseignants en grève pour trouver des solutions efficaces à la liste des revendications légitimes. Faire grève ne s’accommode pas du trouble à l’ordre public. C’est le message que Madame le proviseur du Lycée de Biyem-Assi a tenu à passer à ses collaborateurs à qui elle n’a nullement retiré le droit de grève mais recommandé de manifester hors de l’enceinte de l’établissement au regard des troubles que la manifestation engendre sur le reste de l’établissement mettant en péril le climat social. Toutefois, au détour d’une vidéo devenue virale sur la toile et du communiqué incendiaire de certains leaders du mouvement OTS, tout porte à croire que l’objectif de ces derniers n’est pas de respecter la loi mais d’en découdre avec le proviseur qui n’est pourtant que dans son rôle de chef d’établissement garant de la sécurité de l’école à laquelle elle préside aux destinées depuis des années sans fioritures. Par Arlette Tchoumi

Social affairs’ Minister, Pauline Irene Nguene officially inaugurated the newly rehabilitated and equipped Cameroonian institution for childhood in Betamba, Mbam and Kim division of the Center region. Friday, 25th February 2022 marked an historic day and a new journey for the Cameroonian institution for childhood situated in the locality of Betamba, some kilometers away from Ntui, the chief town of the Mbam and Kim Division of the Center region. The 65 years old edifice was rehabilitated and equipped by the ministry of social affairs within the framework of its strategic plan to modernize the Cameroonian institution for childhood, with the expertise of the military engineering corps. During the official ceremony, Social affairs’ patroness, Pauline Irene Nguene expressed her satisfaction to have seen the achievements of works that were conducted despite threats from the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, more hopes are focused on how to increase the numbers of children and young people in dire need of reinsertion in the society. As underscored by the Minister of social affairs, one of the main challenges is that of maintaining in good shape and state the modern buildings that were officially inaugurated. In her keynote address, she instructed the Director of the Cameroon institution for childhood (ICE) of Betamba to make good use of the modern buildings and equipment that were set-up by the military engineering corps. In a 15 to 20 minutes guided tour, the Minister of social affairs and other officials who were part of the journey like the Secretary General at the Ministry of Defense, the Secretary General of MINAS just to name these few were ushered into the various offices, dormitories, conference rooms, classes and refectories in order to witness the new look of the Betamba center. The Betamba institution as observed by the Minister and other officials present on the spot, has doubled its capacity (240 pensioners and 500 semi-pensioners). It stands as the largest in Cameroon that will be offering a socially inclusive treatment and follow-up to orphans, vulnerable and street children as well as others willing to pursue trainings in the center. Speaking to media practitioners, Pauline Irene Nguene said: “I think we are really satisfied for two main reasons. First of all, the project is in line with the social protection policy defined by the Head of state, so, we are sure that at least we didn’t go on side, we didn’t start this project anyhow, it is really in line with the social protection policy of the Head of state, Paul Biya. The second reason is that, the project was done with the expertise of the military engineering corps, so it guarantees because of the capacity which will be greater than before and more children will be welcomed here for follow-ups and vocational trainings. Like we said the other day, the will have to learn many things here so that they will be inserted in the society, at least after here they can have a job and they can be independent…” The Minister said government is trying by all means to multiply such initiatives and there is much need to valorize the Betamba center which can act as a catalyst factor.  “We have a training center here, so many people and even children in the premises of Betamba who wish to learn something here are free to come in and it will create some resources, not only for this center but equally to run other centers.” The Minister said. The project handed in 2017 to the military engineering corps was achieved following norms and standards in three phases. On his part, Colonel Jackson Kamgaing, Director of the military engineering corps outlined the fact that the project has encountered a lot of hindrance starting from the fact that it is situated in a remote area. He said: “This project was given to the military engineering corps upon high instructions of the Head of state, Commander in Chief of Armed forces, in 2017 for three (3) phases. Amongst these phases: we had the construction of buildings; rehabilitation works and the equipping phase. Amongst the buildings constructed, we can cite the administrative building which is newly constructed, a borehole that was put in place and as concerns rehabilitation works; we have the poultry rehabilitated, workshops like the carpentry, electricity workshops etc. and in addition, dormitories for children. During this 4-year project, 150 military staff and 50 civilians were dispatched on the site. One difficulties that we had here was the fact that the place was remote because when starting works there wasn’t a bridge to cross the sanaga river and the fact that it was really far from Ntui. Now that the project has been handed-over, there is mainly the security issue that needs to be taken into account because the place is really vas and the need to have a lot of security personnel to make sure that people don’t come in to vandalize the area and also the maintenance. As you see we have a lot of equipment in this projects, so they must have several teams for this maintenance…” Created in 1952 by the colonial administration then retroceded to the government in 1968, the Cameroonian institution for childhood was officially organized under the decree of June 25, 1973. The center has since its creation welcomed over 4504 children. Elise Kenimbeni