‘Waka Waka 4 Peace’: A Celebration of Women’s Resilience and Determination

 

 Pan-Africanism is a movement that seeks to unify African people and promote solidarity across the African continent and the diaspora. The Pan-African Women's Day celebrated July 31st each year worldwide, commemorates the first Pan-African Women’s Conference held in Dar essay Salaam in 1962. This day recognizes the contributions and achievements of African women and also serves as a reminder of the ongoing fight for gender equality and women's rights across the continent.

 This day is celebrated this year under the theme " Advancing social and Economic Justice for African women through Reparation." This walk," Waka Waka for Peace" is celebrated today in the North West Region at Mile 1, where women, girls and men gathered and walked to the Governor's office. The walk was characterized by singing and traditional dance.

 

The walk from Mile 1 to the Governor's office was led by North West regional coordinator for Cameroon women's peace convention platform, general coordinator for South West North West Task Force (SNWOT). With placards bearing peace messages, it was accompanied by songs sung by all who participated in the walk. Some of these messages included; " I pledge to support women's leadership", " We women of Cameroon, are longing for peace", " In diversity, there is beauty", " I stand with women for peace and security"," We are ready to dialogue". 

 

While at the Governor's office, speeches were made by the; the representative of the Governor of the North West Region, the delegate for women's empowerment and family and the North West Regional coordinator for Cameroon women's peace convention platform.

In a speech made by North West regional coordinator for Cameroon women's peace convention platform Mme Munteh Florence, she said today is to celebrate the resilience of the African woman. She also appreciated the efforts put in by women especially Cameroonian women in fostering peace in the country. In her words," Today we continue to glamour for peace because peace is what will make a woman to flourish.

The delegate for women's empowerment and family in his speech encouraged women to keep up the good work in ensuring that peace reigns in the North and South West regions of the country. He also assured women that the government is in control making sure that these two regions regain peace. In his speech he said" That is why the government with its international partners have been working since 2016 to ensure that the peace that was interrupted in these regions is restored." 

 The representative of the Governor, the Secretary general appreciated the regional coordinator for such good initiative, and women for coming out to support peace in the region. He said, " We are putting in efforts at our level to make sure our country is built hand-in-hand with women for progress."

According to the General coordinator for SNWOT Mme Cloutilda Andiensa, who doubles as CAGEAD’s CEO, in an interview, she gave the importance of the walk " WAKA WAKA FOR PEACE" especially in our region giving the fact that it has been plagued by the crisis since 2016 and it is a reminder to everyone concerned to ensure that women's efforts in peace building are recognized by all the men and authorities. " We are actually calling on partnership, we are saying that we are ready for dialogue we are open for everyone to come, for us to join hands and see how we can channel a better way, where women and girls will not suffer from this kind of violence." 

                                                                                                  By Belinda Andiensa

Intern CAGEAD