West Region: Project launched to empower Internally Displaced women in Galim
By Stephen Tadaha
Women from the Crisis-hit North West Region now settled in Galim Subdivision, in the West, face numerous challenges, including stigmatization, discrimination, and limited access to basic necessities like food, water, education, healthcare, and land. These issues have significantly impacted social cohesion, empowerment, and gender equality in their host community.
To address these concerns, the Women and Girls Advocacy and Protection Network for Peace and Development “WAPNET” (an Association Network) has launched the “Women, Peace and Security” project. This initiative aims to empower displaced women, promote peace, and foster gender equality in areas the West, affected by the crisis in the North West and South West Regions of Cameroon.
“It is true we have been welcomed here since the crisis broke out in the North West Region, but the reality we live here is completely different from what many think” Fambit Marinette Wakum, an internally displaced woman from Balikumbat in the North West Region confesses.
“We don’t have access to farm and food to the extent that some of our parents are forced to go back to the North West Region and bring food” she adds.
The project’s focal person Mrs. KANDEM emphasized that WAPNET will accompany these women to ensure they become empowered, independent, and able to defend their rights. The project will also provide support in obtaining identification documents, education, and birth certificates for their children.
She made the revelation on International Women’s Day 2025, as WAPNET visited Galim to collect data and motivate the IDP women, who participated in the march past at the Galim ceremonial ground This event highlighted the need for urgent humanitarian intervention and the importance of addressing the challenges faced by these women.
