When Women Lead, Communities Rise

 

Under the project “Building Resilience and Inclusion of Women for the Effective Implementation of the National Action Plan,” CAGEAD convened a Focus Group Discussion bringing together women councilors and leaders from Tubah Council, Bamenda III Council, religious institutions, and community development groups.

Facilitated by Dr. Eileen Tabuwe Akwo, the session gathered over 20 women leaders to reflect on their leadership journeys, responsibilities, and the barriers limiting women’s effective participation in governance.

Participants highlighted their extensive contributions across councils, churches, and communities from monitoring development projects, supporting community health services, and responding to gender-based violence cases, to leading economic empowerment and faith-based initiatives. Despite these contributions, women reported persistent challenges including gender discrimination, limited representation in decision-making committees, interference from traditional structures, and restricted authority.

A key concern raised was the absence of gender policies within councils, resulting in unequal access to resources, weak gender-responsive budgeting, and limited institutional recognition of women’s leadership roles.

Women leaders emphasized that their motivation stems from commitment to community development, personal responsibility, and confidence in their abilities to lead change. However, they called for stronger institutional support, capacity building, and unity among women leaders to increase collective influence.

The discussion concluded with a strong call to action for institutionalized gender policies, strengthened women’s networks, promote inclusive governance, and ensure women’s voices meaningfully shape local development decisions.

CAGEAD continues to champion platforms that amplify women’s leadership and advance inclusive governance for sustainable community transformation.

By: Monie Emmanuela Manyu