Empowering Women for Peace and Development: Milestone Advocacy Meeting Breaths Life into Gender Policy For Bamenda III and Tubah Municipalities
In a significant stride toward gender equality and sustainable peace, CAGEAD holds an advocacy meeting aimed at promoting the adoption of gender-responsive policies in Bamenda III and Tubah municipalities. This activity marks a crucial milestone in translating Cameroon’s National Action Plan II (NAP II) and UNSCR 1325 from policy papers into tangible actions that empower women, strengthen local institutions, and foster inclusive decision-making. With a focus on community, religious, and local governance structures, this initiative underscores the vital role women play in building resilient, peaceful societies.
Under the project "Building Resilience and Inclusive Local Institutions and Empowering Local Women Leaders in the Implementation of the National Action Plan II for UNSCR1325" implemented by CAGEAD and funded by the EU and the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and Supported by the Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), The advocacy meeting served as a platform for diverse stakeholders including women leaders, village development associations, traditional and religious leaders, representatives of Ministry of Social Affairs (MINAS), Ministry of Women's Empowerment and the Family (MINPROFF), Ministry of Decentralization and Local Development (MINDDEVEL), Public Independent Conciliator (PIC), civil society organisations, and community representatives to review findings from ongoing efforts to localize UNSCR1325.
The event highlighted the progress made, from training 30 women councilors and future leaders on leadership, advocacy, and gender policies to engaging 30 male counterparts who committed to supporting women’s participation in peacebuilding and governance.
One of the key achievements was the presentation of NINE DRAFT GENDER POLICIES tailored for councils, churches, VDAs, and neighborhood associations. These policies address the core pillars of UNSCR1325 participation, prevention, protection, relief and recovery and reflect the shared commitment of local leaders to institutionalize gender equality. Notably, Bamenda III and Tubah councils committed to develop and implement municipal gender policies, integrating gender considerations into budgets, and increasing women’s participation in leadership roles.
The event also shed light on the barriers women face such as cultural norms, limited resources, gender-biased resource allocation, and weak gender-responsive budgeting; and proposed concrete solutions.
Training and mentoring have already increased women’s confidence and influence, with some women leaders presenting advocacy briefs during council sessions. The importance of involving men as allies was emphasized, as their support accelerates progress and creates a more enabling environment for women’s leadership.
Stakeholders examined the gaps in current policies and resource allocations, recognizing the need for ongoing capacity building, advocacy, and partnership to sustain these gains. Religious institutions, in particular, committed to integrating gender equality messages into their teachings and community outreach, further strengthening the movement for inclusive peacebuilding.
The advocacy meeting ended with a shared vision: to see the effective implementation of gender policies that recognize and support women’s vital role in peace and governance. The collective efforts of local authorities, religious bodies, civil society, village development associations and women themselves are laying the foundation for lasting change, transforming policies into actions that benefit entire communities.
This landmark advocacy activity demonstrates that real progress is possible when communities come together with shared commitment and clear purpose. As CAGEAD continues to implement NAP II and localize UNSCR1325, the focus now shifts to turning these policies into sustainable actions. The collective efforts in Bamenda III and Tubah serve as a shining example of what can be achieved when women are empowered, supported by strong local institutions, and recognized as key agents of peace and development.
Moving forward, sustained collaboration, capacity building, and unwavering commitment is essential to ensuring that women’s voices are heard, valued, and integrated into the heart of local governance and peacebuilding efforts.
By Muh Yvonne Nchim