DRay INFOS

Media, Community Spokespersons Strategizing On Strengthening SRHR Advocacy  By Raymond Dingana In the months ahead, the alliance between Common Action for Gender Development (COMAGEND), Media professionals, and Community spokespersons is set to bolster sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR) advocacy in selected neighborhoods of Bamenda in a bid to tear down barriers to SRHR in the community. These three advocates have taken it upon themselves to educate communities on sexual health rights, toxic masculinity, and other forms of gender-based violence plaguing today's communities. Participants At The Workshop The decision to form this alliance against societal norms that pose barriers to SRHR services was made during a one-day gathering organized by COMAGEND for media professionals and community spokespersons at the conference room of Bamenda II. The discussion session, facilitated by COMAGEND's Executive Director, Sally Mboumien, addressed critical topics like toxic masculi...

By Raymond Dingana. During the workshop that took place, Thursday October 31, 2019 at the Conference Hall of the Regional Hospital in Bamenda that brought together Journalists, Bloggers and Civil Society Organizations, one of the facilitators, Digital Rights Activist, Rosaline Akah Obah schooled participants on the basic principles of Human Rights Vis-à-vis Digital Rights in Africa and Cameroon in particular . “ Human rights are standards that allow all people to live with  D ignity, F reedom, E quality, J ustice , and  P eace.   She also said, Digital R ights  are those  Human Rights  and Legal Rights that allow individuals to access, use, create, and publish  Digital  media online. Access to the internet should be affordable and available; there should be freedom of expression online, Gender equality among other Rights”. Rosaline Akah Obah said.                       ...

L-R:Family Photo Taken At The Event, Bees Carrying Out Cross Pollination  By Raymond Dingana  The importance of bees-winged insects closely related to wasps, and ants known for their pivotal role in pollination goes beyond just producing honey for consumption, and other purposes, conservationists say. This explains why the United Nations proclaimed May 20th as World Bee Day which aims to raise awareness on the importance of pollinators, the threats they face, and their contributions to sustainable development. During a Panel discussion in Bamenda to celebrate World Bee Day, and World Biodiversity Day, Thursday May 23,2024, conservationists suggested that because man's existence depends on the continued presence of bees, all must be done to ensure they never go extinct. Conservationists At The Panel Discussion   The panel discussion was organized by a local Non Governmental Organization, (Cameroon Gender and Environment Watch) CAMGEW whose team lead, Mr Wirsy Emmanuel Biny...

Community Spokesperson Talking To Community Members At Old Town By Raymond Dingana The inhabitants of Mtambang, commonly referred to as Old Town in the Bamenda II Council area of the North West Region of Cameroon, have committed themselves to the fight against female genital mutilation (FGM). They assert that this practice remains prevalent in some communities throughout the region and across Cameroon. Their involvement at this critical time is driven by the negative impact this age-old cultural practice has on women. For over a month, community spokespersons in the Ntambang neighborhood, commonly known as Old Town in the Bamenda II council area, have been conducting a door-to-door sensitization campaign against Gender-Based Violence (GBV).  The campaign addresses critical issues such as Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH), toxic masculinity, and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) amongst others.Community spokespersons are dedicated to educating residents on these important topics. ...

By Raymond Dingana in Bamenda. The Center for Human Right and Peace Advocacy  –CHRAPA has inaugurated a Para-Legal Center and handed over to the population of Mbelem, a locality in mile six Nkwen, Bamenda III Sub Division of the NWR of Cameroon. During the inauguration and handing over ceremony, Sunday October 20 th , 2019 at Mbelem, mile six Nkwen, the coordinator of CHRAPA, Mr. Tata Nelson called on the population to make judicious use of the Para-Legal center put at their disposal by CHRAPA to take care of human right issues among others. He also told the inhabitants of Mbelem that, though the Para-Legal center is based in Nkwen, it doesn’t mean others from different areas cannot benefit from the services the center will be offering. Mr. Tata Wilson also encouraged the beneficiaries to report all cases of Gender Based Violence including Rape, Battery, Child Abused, and many others to the center saying they should not to be afraid to do so because no one will ever know they ...

  Dialogue Session Unfolding  By Raymond Dingana  In a heated debate initiated by Community Spokespersons (CSPs) of Mtambag popularly known as Old Town in Bamenda II, empowered by Community Action for Gender Development (COMAGEND), participants discussed whether the government should provide more condoms to young people as a way to role back sexually transmitted diseases.  Some voices argued that making condoms widely available could promote promiscuity among youth. "Providing condoms might encourage us to engage in casual sex. That's why I don't think it's necessary," one participant stated. However, others believed that increasing access to condoms could help reduce sexually related issues, such as sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies. "There are many diseases out there, and using condoms is one of the best ways to protect ourselves. Making condoms available would help us prevent these diseases,"  said another speaker. Adding to this ...

Family Photo With Celebrated Women Mediators, Other Dignitaries  By Raymond Dingana Mother of Hope Cameroon  with acronym (MOHCAM), a non profit organization in Cameroon, has recognized 71 women community mediators, and leaders from across the North West Region of the country for their efforts in resolving conflicts through mediation after receiving training from MOHCAM. Mother of Hope Cameroon is an initiative of Adah Mbah Muyang, Executive Director of MOHCAM whose Peacebuilding initiatives led to the Women's Mediation project. This recognition occurred during a one-day Women Mediation Conference organized by MOHCAM, with additional resources from Open Society Foundations. The event took place at the Pastoral Center in Bamenda I Sub Division of the North West Region on Friday, November 30th. The conference served as a closing activity for the first year of the project launched in May 2024, titled " Promoting the Effective Participation of Women in Conflict Resolution Processe...

     Raymond Dingana  An old adage states,  "Peace begins with a smile,and a mother's smile is the first."  This suggests that a mother's warmth, and kindness can foster a peaceful environment. Unfortunately, mothers in the crisis battered North West, and South West Regions of Cameroon have seen smiles evade their faces due to the pain they are going through as a result of the crisis. This has not sent them to the sidelines; rather, it has ignited their spirit of participation in peace building, which is why many have embraced peace building initiatives. Thanks to Nkumu Fed Fed, one of the few non governmental organization operating in the crisis hit regions, these mothers are being brought on board to contribute to peace building efforts. On Friday, December 6th, 2024, Nkumu Fed Fed, under the project titled  "Mothers for Peace,"  brought together more than two hundred women for a two day capacity building workshop on the role of mothers in ident...

By Raymond Dingana At a time when women continue to wallow in pain as a result of Gender Based Violence (GBV) perpetrated on them, efforts have are being escalated to remedy the situation. During activities to launch this year's campaign against GBV baptized '16 Days Activism To End Violence Against Women And Girls,' Nkumu Fed Fed, with funds from the European Union EU trained and equipped 30 community communicators, Friday November 24. According to the President General of Nkumu Fed Fed, Unice Tita Tata, the stakes are high and much is expected from the participants. "We brought together community communicators, leaders, and traditional authorities to brainstorm on how to amplify the fact that GBV is a crime so that those venturing into the act should know what awaits them," She said and further explained that, "Now it is even an opportunity because the feedback is also extremely important that those who are already victims, we would transform them to survi...