SHOCKING EXPERIENCE AT A HUMAN RIGHTS MEETING

Being an activist, one of the safest places you could think of being at and express your views without fear or shame is at a human rights meeting. But that is not the case as I have come to realize.

Last Dec, 2013, a meeting was held in Buea, Cameroon, to commemorate the international human rights day. Focus were on “problems and challenges faced by activists and NGO'S” both at a personal and professional level in addressing illegal land crabbing, while proposing new strategies and suggestions to help deal with the violation of people’s and indigenous land owners rights.

On that faithful day, Dec 09, 2013, I had to take over my colleague and continue with the second segment of the meeting. She had briefed me on what was discussed prior to my coming and I had to talk about the dress code law that had been implemented by the state since she had not gotten the chance to raise up the issue. And there was no way we could have let the meeting pass without us being there to represent the biggest violation of women’s rights at the time which involved dress code policy and policing. An act which WFAC strongly criticizes and condemns; for a dress code policing gives rooms for police officers and other citizens to sexually harass girls, as well as verbally, emotionally and physically torture them.

When I arrived the meeting hall, first thing I discovered was that the place was filled mostly with men, all demonstrating such a huge interest towards protecting indigenous peoples’ land rights. Everyone was so passionate about contributing towards ending illegal land grabbing. Including, the chairperson for the meeting, who happened to be the Regional Coordinator for the National Human Rights Commission, also spoke so passionately about how he hates people being humiliated and robbed off their rights, and how he could fight tirelessly and endlessly to not let another person violate the rights of another.

Amazingly, when I brought up women’s rights; the case of street harassment and extortion of money under the pretext of implementing the dress code law; the atmosphere immediately turned into a tensed one. The same activists who claimed to be fighting for human rights changed their positions to being against. Almost all the men present in the room turned against me, speaking very loudly and disorderly, referring to views I could hardly expatiate on as ignorant, misleading and nonsensical.

It was my first time to be faced with such insanity. I am not sure I handled that situation very well. I tried to composed myself, but deep inside me I was bubbling with anxiety and could hardly talk with ease. At some point, I asked them how they expect to understand my point if they are not willing to give me the opportunity to express my views.

The boss then ordered everyone to give me the floor. As soon as I started talking, I got the same reaction which was an unwillingness to even listen or understand my views. I pushed forward, focusing on those that were close to hear me. Thank goodness everyone eventually joined in the discussion. I brought up the issue of street harassment; police street harassment and the overall problem with the dress code law/policing. My aim was to make them aware of issues facing young girls and women, like street/sexual harassment, police street/sexual harassment, Police street/sexual harassment, public torture, bribery and corruption, all under the pretext of implementing the dress code law. Also the fact that street/sexual harassment and violent acts such as rape do not happen because of how a woman is dressed.

For instance, I pointed out my friend had been harassed for dressing a way they considered indecent with the majority of the people seeing nothing wrong with her dressing. And to prove how confused those people [police] are when it comes to this. I shared with them an experience and observation, how I met some groups of police and they had no problem with me wearing a certain dress until I pointed out I was harassed because of my dressing. The same officer who had said I was decently dressed, said “maybe it is because of this”; pointing to my chest. Added to that, the officer proudly spoke about how they beat up indecently dressed individuals brought to their office.

In spite of all the examples, on how police officers now have the excuse or motives to justify their violent act towards an individual girls and women; how the dress code policing is another controlling agenda over women’s body, it was evident that the men present at the meeting, still couldn’t get my point. Instead, they went to tell me how the police officer who had no problem with my dressing likes me. Then, they started by scrutinizing my dressing which they considered decent. I was then asked why I was not indecently dressed and concluded I really know how to dress; wearing a long skirt and long sleeves top. Some even said how my ideas are misleading and not African.

Their conclusion was we do not dress in a way they considered indecent. Since my colleague had been detained and I had talked about both our experiences it was concluded it was an attempt by us to tease the police because we dress decently. They spoke as though they live with us to know and decide what we wear all the time. These brought up a whole new topic. It was said we “women” can plan for harassment to occur so that we can use it to sabotage them, [men]. Though it’s all known that policemen in our locality are the No1 groups of people to sexually harass and stalk women, especially those we are around “long street”, “Clark’s Quarter” & “Mutengene”. These guys will not stop catcalling and making sexual, obscene advances towards women. When I also told them police men are fun off touching a woman’s breast and other sexual body parts, they denied.

There was one human rights activist I was familiar with who seemed angry by my accusation and told me to never say something like that again. Interesting, the few women present at the meeting agree with me, some even said, they do not feel safe in the hands of police men because if you were put in their protection against rape, they will be the ones to turn around and rape you

Again, while we were discussing, some people were itchy to go and so they called for the attention of the boss. In order words, these activists meant that women’s issues are not human right issues and therefore not important.

It is sad that even those at the human rights office refuse to see women’s human rights and human rights. And it is things like these that contribute greatly in making Cameroon a backward country. Such attitudes and backward ideas retard development.

This piece is written by a guest contributor, member of WFAC, Ngwentah Berlyne. She writes about everything Feminism, Women's empowerment and Humanrights, from a young Cameroonian woman's perspective

How Most Things You Know About Feminists Are Vicious Conservative Lies

 This is a cross post from the Everyday Feminism Team, written by, Sandra & Melissa

Hi again!

You know, it's sometimes tough to tell people you're a feminist.  We've gotten a pretty bad reputation since the conservatives have done a very effective job of making feminism a “dirty word.”  They’ve kept people so focused on trying to not be a feminist so we don’t see all the sexist policies they're pushing.

 Here are a few popular quotes from popular conservative leaders:

“Feminism was established to allow unattractive women easier access to the mainstream.” – conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh

Feminism “encourages women to leave their husbands, kill their children, practice witchcraft, destroy capitalism and become lesbians”  - television evangelist Pat Robertson

“Feminist is a bad word and everything they stand for is bad..Find out if your girlfriend is a feminist before you get too far into it. Some of them are pretty. They don’t all look like Bella Abzug.” – conservative activist and author Phyllis Schlafly
 
Misrepresentations of feminism are so powerful that many progressives and liberals today don’t necessarily want to self-identify as a feminist even when they believe in what feminism stands for.  They don’t want women or anyone else to be abused, raped, exploited and discriminated against.  They want all people, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race, and class, be treated with respect and free to determine their own lives

As much as they believe in what feminism stands for, they still have difficulty thinking they’re a feminist becuase of all the stereotypes they've learned about from the aggressive smear campaign on feminism.

So let’s explore some commonly believed stereotypes of feminists.  We’ll tell you the truth.

• Feminists hate men and think women are better  - This is the biggest myth in the book and one that even some of the most educated, progressive people seem to think is true. Feminists stand against the sexism, exploitation, and oppression that society conditions us to perpetuate. That means both men AND women are raised to be prejudiced against women and limit what is possible for women to achieve. The point is to eradicate the sexist, exploitative, and oppressive thinking and action in both men and women – not eradicate men. Giving freedom and rights to women doesn’t take away those of men. This isn’t a zero-sum game where there has to be a winner and a loser. In fact, with feminism, we all win.

• Only women can be feminists - Anyone committed to ending sexism and oppression can be a feminist, including men. Just as white people can stand against racism, men can stand against sexism. To stop sexism, we must help men identify and let go of their sexist thinking and action. Feminism also supports men in freeing themselves from the limits of traditional male roles and conforming to the patriarchal definition of masculinity based on sexual prowess, physical strength, ability to fight, inability to express emotions, and being the breadwinner as the only role they can have in the family. Male feminists are encouraged and supported to break free from traditional roles and discover what gives them a happy, meaningful life. So not only can feminists be men, feminism needs men and men need feminism!

• Feminism only cares about women - Given its name, most people think feminism is a female thing but feminism is actually for everyone, not just women.  While feminism began focused more solely on issues related to being a women, women do not experience their lives as merely women but also as women of different races, classes, sexual orientation, and other groupings.  There was a backlash within the feminism movement who felt it overly represented issues of white, upper class women. This led to feminism expanding its focus to understanding how all these groupings of different power and privilege intersect to shape the everyday lives of women. Over time, this has led to seeing how essentially everyone – women, men, LGBTQ, people of color, poor, etc – is mistreated and exploited in socially acceptable ways due to their social status.  Frankly there's not a single person who isn't pushed and punished into fitting into a box by society. That's why feminism is about liberation for everyone.

• There’s no sexism so feminists aren’t needed anymore - There are some people who believe sexism is dead and feminism isn’t needed anymore.Things aren’t really that bad, people are just whining, or it’s just the way things are. But look around. We all know women and girls who have suffered from sexual assault, body image issues, street harassment, and domestic violence. Popular culture teaches our young daughters that they have to be skinny, wear skimpy clothing, be sexy but not slutty, and focus on their appearance and not their education . Some men still believe an attractive woman must want attention from men even if she says she doesn’t, judge a woman’s value based on how much they want to have sex with her, and treat women “like she’s just a girl”. Many men respect women but don’t know what to do when their friends begin cat-calling, when they see a friend taking advantage of a girl who has had too much to drink, or when they find out their girlfriend is a rape survivor or has experienced sexual violence. If sexism was dead and feminism wasn’t needed, then these things would not be happening. But they are. Don’t you want this to change?

• Feminists are angry and irrational people - Let’s look at one of the issues that feminists get angry about. 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys will be sexually molested by 18 years old. 1 in 4 women in college survive rape or attempted rape. 52% of gay men and lesbian women report at least one incident of coercion by a same-sex partner. 2 in 3 survivors will know the perpetrator. 54% of sexual assault crimes do not go reported. 97% of rapists don’t spend a single day in jail. The average prison sentence is 4 months. Heard enough? This is why feminists sometimes seem angry but we certainly are not irrational in why we’re angry. If we need to say it loudly and risk looking “angry” and “unladylike” in order to stand up for women, men, and children who are being raped, we will. Wouldn’t you?

• Feminists are all butch lesbians - There certainly are feminists who are butch lesbians and we’re proud of them. There are also certainly many feminists who are straight and look traditionally feminine and we’re proud of them too. In fact, we welcome and work with people of any stripe and shade who are fighting for equality and recognize the humanity in all people. Also we don’t appreciate using homophobia to scare women into thinking feminism isn’t for them.

• Feminists don’t shave their armpits or legs - Some do and some don’t but why do you care? A woman’s worth shouldn’t be judged by how hairless she is. It’s her choice. Just like a man who decides to shave his face.  See, feminists are not really concerned about what’s under your arm. Instead, we are concerned about whether or not women feel pressured to look a certain “acceptable” way.  Like how this stereotype is doing.

• Feminists can’t make or take a joke - We think we’re pretty funny actually. We just don’t make jokes aimed at hurting, demeaning, or belittling other people. We don’t stay quiet when someone makes a joke at the expense of a certain gender, race, class, or sexual orientation or if they use a stereotypes that encourage prejudice. If someone was making fun of you and your family, wouldn’t you want someone to say something?

• Feminists are useless - If feminists were useless then, women wouldn’t be able to be freely reading this right now. Thanks to feminists in the past, women can attend school, vote, hold political positions, choose to work inside or outside the home, decide if and when to have children, and choose when, if, and to whom they get married. There are a so many things that we take for granted everyday that we have earlier feminists to thank for. We hope that future generations will thank us someday for making the future a more equal and safe place for everyone!

So the next time someone starts bringing up tired old stereotypes about feminists, feel free to correct them on it.  You've heard it here from an official feminist.

Thanks,
Sandra, Melissa, and the Everyday Feminism Team

Disability is not inability; says one woman with visual impairment

 “I lost my sight when I was one year six months old,” said Ms. Wirba Amshatu Verbe, currently a transformative leader, mentor and education trainer at the Government Teachers Training College (GTTC), Buea.

For over 30 thirty years now, Ms. Amshatu does not know what an ordinary print paper, notebook or an ink pen looks like. Braille and computer has been her sole weapon for communication.

Grew up in an all-inclusive environment, less sensitivity towards persons with visual impairment, Amshatu had always believed in education as the key for growth and community development.
“Even as a teenager, I believed in teaching as a tool for empowerment. Though disabled, I knew it was not an inability!” She said.

In 2003, Ms. Amshatu made a turning point in her professional life; challenging the status quo and all those who believed that university education was not meant for persons visually challenged. At such became the first student with visual impairment to gain admission into the University of Buea (UB), where she received a BEd (Bachelor of Education Degree) in Curriculum Studies and Teaching/ History (CST/History) in 2006.

Even so, Ms. Amshatu’s pursuit for greater knowledge did not just stop after her BEd. Her desire for teaching continued heavily, so too was her struggle. In a quest to take, her passion to the next level she spent closed to three academic years; that is from 2007 to 2009, struggling and writing the ENS [Higher Teachers Training College] annual entrance examination. Where she finally made it in 2009 and again, became the first visually impaired person to have participated in the teachers training competitive examination (orals and written) as well as to have succeeded and been granted admission at ENS Bambili, North West Region of Cameroon. Note, all these were achieved after a series of negotiation with top government officials.

2 years later, Ms. Amshatu graduated with a DIPEN II (Teachers Training Diploma) in Science of Education from ENS, Bambili (2011) and was posted to Government Teachers Training College (GTTC), Buea in 2012, where she now teaches Education/Child Psychology.

“My life, my struggle has not been easy. I remembered when I spoke to people about my interest in ENS, some friends/colleagues advised me not to. People said I would never be allowed to seat for the examination, talking of gaining admission. Someone asked me how I intend to teach non-blinds as a blind,” says Amshatu giggling with an emotional facial expression. “They even advised me to teach in the Re-habilitation Institute for the Blind Buea. Whereas, deep inside me, I knew that was not my place. I could feel my calling - to teach non-blinds. And that is exactly where I am today! Though I co-teach with a sighted colleague who corrects the scripts.”

At GTTC, Ms. Amshatu now coaches over 250 young men and women aspiring civil servants, Nursery and Primary teachers.

Ms. Susana Akango, student of Ms. Amshatu says - “the first day Ms. Amshatu came to class, I knew she is so special and unique. She is always so active, interactive, and engaging with us the student. ”

“Ms. Amshatu is the first visually impaired tutor who has ever taught me. And each day we have lectures, there is something new I learn from her. She is God sent for humanity especially to persons in this teaching core,” says Mr. Ebong Blaise, a first-year student teacher at GTTC Buea.

Indeed Ms. Amshatu is a special person, intelligent, and equal to all task, Mrs. Enow Achare, a co-colleague to Ms. Amshatu says: “I have been teaching for over 24 years but co-teaching with Ms. Amshatu is my first experience though I have background knowledge as far as special education is concern. And I enjoy each and every teaching moment with her.”

Through Amshatu’s mentorship, one young visually challenged woman is now at ENS Bambili, a place that at first was for the sighted.

Ms. Isabel Foyenka, a first year ENS student, and one of Amshatu’s mentee in a telephone interview with me, she says: “Amshatu is more of a sister to a friend. Her story motivated me to pursuit my education. Even after I succeeded in the entrance examination, she has continued to give me words of encouragement. She told me of the challenges, obstacles but that I needed to be perseverance.”

Especially as “Teachers at ENS are yet to be used to persons with visual impairment.” Isabel added, “Things have not been easy as expected. I can’t count the numbers of times I keep reminding my teachers that whenever they write or draw on the board they should not forget that I can’t see.”

Amshatu is the last-born and the fourth girl in a family of six. Hailing from a polygamous home, being the only child with visual impairment in her family, she hopes to see women and men visually challenged face their fear and go for their dream. “I also want to see visually impaired persons begin to challenge our society that thinks when somebody is blind, it means his or her brain is blind too, or that everything has ended for that person.” She said.

Raised by a supportive, and disability friendly family, Amshatu says it helped her overcame the stigma and complex feeling of not belonging. However, the stress of coping without particular needs, she says, remains a major impediment for self-growth. “For instance, the lack of access to brailed textbooks, assistive devices like a laptop [computer], printer, and a scanner has greatly limited me from reaching out to a wider audience likewise bringing spotlight to my powerful story for change.”

Again she explains, “Each time I have to prepare my lesson note I book in advance for a computer from a friend at the Rehabilitation Institute for the Blind or the University of Buea [UB] UNESCO Lab. This can take me days or even a week to prepare a one-day lecture. Meanwhile, in cases where I need to search online, I can even take several weeks as I would need to ask for someone to take me to the cyber, where [s]he will assist in googling for the information I need, save it in my flash-drive. Which I shall later take to either the Rehabilitation Centre or UNESCO Lab and read since their computers have reading aids; I mean special computer software for persons with visual impairment.”

So far, Amshatu’s works and activism has helped shape the teaching environment in some Anglophone Cameroon academic institutions as provision are now being made to assist persons with special needs.
She therefore remains a living testimony that persons with visual impairment can do home chores, travel and work all by themselves as well as becoming part of social transformation [change]

If you would like to contact Amshatu, click here or through her cousins at Marie Tanyu or through me here on ZoFem

you can request for Amshatu's profile story on pdf 

Y0CEN community Outreach

 Wednesday, 12. 12.12, members of the group Y0CEN took the maiden step and reached out  to over 150 young women and men, sensitizing them on their civic rights and responsibilities towards democratic practices in Cameroon with emphasis on them registering for elections 2013.

The whole idea of the community outreach was to rebuild youth confidence in the 2013 twin elections; Municipality and Parliamentary, encouraged them to register  and make sure they vote. And so far it is one of the first person-to-person civic educations led by youth for youth in Cameroon.   

It’s no doubt that youth voters turnout over the years has dropped.  According to the Mo Ibrahim Good Governance Facts and Figures, 2012, reveealed that less than 50% of African youth, cameroonian in particular has confidence in the honesty of the elections.  56% are more interested in current affairs with urbans youth having greater interest than rural youths, ironically, 37.7% use TV as the secondary source of information.

Y0CEN, created 2012 is a youth-led Civic Education Network, composed of unique group of youth activists and leaders from Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), and NGOs here in Cameroon, which aims to promote young people’s civic rights and participation in democracy practices.

Y0CEN believes that young people are active change agents. They make the impossibilities possible. And thus it’s important that young people take the frontline to shaping their community for good.  But in doing so, youth must be empowered with the knowledge to make informed choices.  

What Y0cen observed?

The observation gathered is that many young persons felt connected with y0cen team. They could share their fears and worries without feeling intimidated. Though many had not registered yet for the elections but assured to register and vote. As usual, some still lack the willingness to register.  Meanwhile to those who have registered, many said they did it just because they saw people registering or because their parents asked them to register. Y0CEN sees lack of election enthusiasm among the youth. 

What y0cen recommends?

Y0cen sees the urgent need for more community engagement, a door-to-door sensitization before the registration deadline in Feb 2012. Yocen urges more youths network to join the movement to encourage young people to register and vote in the elections.  

 Y0CEN is apolitical and doesn’t receives funding/supports from any political party. Y0CEN is niether a campaign party but a youth-led civic education network. 

For more information about Y0CEN...

Visit Y0CEN on Facebook here  or twitter @Y0CEN 

faces behind y0cen at: Fonge Peter, Zoneziwoh Mbondgulo , Jude Thaddeus ZoFem 

Wednesday Night Lights

The light that heals – and made those present glow from within

After closed to 8hours of health / HIV peer-to-peer educational talk and distribution of materials likes condoms, flyers to the tens and thousands of students, youth present for the national university games at the University of Buea (UB); it was time to light the candles to remember those who have lost their lives to HIV/AIDS pandemic. Not forgetting the thousands affected by its impact.

Present at the memorial were collaboration organizations like:  Vision in Action Foundation (VIAF); Foundation for Released Prisoners (FRP) and Rural Women Development Center (RUWDEC); bigSTEPS (BONET);  JCI (Junior Chambers International); AIESEC; Commonwealth Student Association; Medical Laboratory students; Nursing Association and students as well as Women For A Change (WFAC) Buea – a duly registered AIDS Candlelight community host for Buea, Cameroon.

Like many of the people present at the memorial on Wednesday Night Lights, it was my first time to witness such a ceremony. I remembered in 2009, when I first came across the advert online. And registered as a community coordinator but for some reasons, I didn’t participate.

 Since, I have not had the privilege to witness until this year, 2012. Where I didn’t not only witnessed but was an active participant in the coordination.

 It’s worth noting that the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial is one of the world’s oldest and largest grassroots mobilization campaigns for HIV awareness in the world. Started in 1983, the Candlelight Memorial takes place every third Sunday in May and is led by community, health and faith organizations from over 115 countries.

With 33 million people living with HIV today, the Candlelight serves as an important intervention for global solidarity, reducing stigma and discrimination and giving hope to new generations. [GNP+ 2012 Media advisory]

And this year, its estimates that closed to 100,000 people in 115 countries shall join the celebration of the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial under the theme Promoting Health and Dignity Together

 Unlike the usual community-based advocacy settings, Women For A Change (WFAC) Buea , during the peer-to-peer education used the opportunity to demonstrate to the thousands of people how grassroots organization always improvise new and environmental friendly strategies  just to  reach out to the community. For example, WFAC stand was under a shrub tree—which served as both the flipchart, canopy and at the same time –a sticker-board where tributes and personal statements were paste for all to read.   The shrub tree was also the billboard, exhibition stand – where banners and other readable content were paste and display.

At the night lights

Just as it was night fall, and the candles lit; I noticed everything by me looked different, most especially the candles on orange flame.  

The sky was covered with darkness.  The night was cold, wind-less though noisy but the mind was silent, letting the flame glow within. 

Aren’t human candles? A question I pondered with myself.  

There came a time when we burn and glows all our surroundings. And then somehow—we quietly fade out. May and may not leave smoke or wax trace.  Sometimes too, we fall before we can even glow.  And if there is no support at the moment to hold us stand. We might never be able to stand again—   

At that moment– watching the candles gently burn, why I ponder in thoughts and at the same time listening to the choral song sang by participants, it felt more like all alone I didn’t understand the theme for this year until that Wednesday night lights.  When participants all held hands together.

 “This is such an emotional moment for me” - says Ms Yvonne, President of JCI-UB.

Bernard S, BONET Project manager – in an informal conversation, he said: We have touched lives, many lives.

For the first time, I guest – an initiative like this one has brought student from over 30 different academic institutions together, youth from diverse background, to collectively take a moment to remember all those they have lost to HIV / AIDS pandemic.

This is a day not to forget – the memories of Wednesday Night Lights is to forever be remembered as having instilled a new kind of brightness in the hearts of many. 

More Photos is available on WFAC Buea Facebook Page

Apply for a Women Deliver 2013 Youth Scholarship

English | Español | Français 15 February 2012 Under 30 Scholarship Application Open Scholarship applications for Women Deliver’s next global conference–May 28 to 30, 2013 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia–are now available for applicants under 30 (as of May 2013) here. If you will be aged 30-years-old or older (as of May 2013), you will be offered a separate application that will be available on March 26th, 2012. Deadline for all scholarships to be received is April 15, 2012 (12pm EST), with no exceptions. The groundbreaking Women Deliver conferences in 2007 and 2010 were the largest of the decade to focus on the health and empowerment of girls and women. In 2010, we convened more than 3,400 people from 146 countries in Washington, DC, including 75 parliamentarians and government ministers, five UN agency heads, the UN Secretary-General and more than 250 global media outlets. Our third global conference will be even bigger and better, with more than 5,000 public and private sector participants expected from around the world. Our goal is to mobilize action to improve the health and well-being of girls and women everywhere. In order to maximize participation from those traditionally under-represented, namely young people and those from the Global South, we will be offering full conference support to a select number of participants. This support includes conference registration, round-trip economy class airfare, hotel accommodations, and a fixed stipend for visa fees and other incidentals. Scholarship winners must: - Attend the conference in its entirety. - Be able to communicate in English, both orally and in writing. We will have translation available at plenary sessions, but this will not be - possible for all breakout sessions. - Have regular access to email, as that will be our way of communicating with you about deadlines, registration, hotel and travel arrangements. - Possess an interest in global development issues. - Conduct themselves in a professional manner. Please note: - Your participation will require you to respond to our emails in a timely way. Failure to do so will result in your space being forfeit. - We are only able to offer economy-class airfare from your point of origin to Kuala Lumpur and returning from Kuala Lumpur to your point of origin, and hotel accommodations during the length of the conference only. Any modifications or extensions will be at your own expense. - For information on visa requirements, please click here. Back to top 15 de febrero 2012 Apertura de la solicitud de becas de participación para menores de 30 años  La solicitud de becas para participar en la próxima conferencia mundial de Women Deliver, a realizarse entre el 28 y 30 de mayo de 2013 en Kuala Lumpur (Malasia), está ahora disponible para los (las) menores de 30 años (deberás ser menor de 30 años para el momento de la conferencia, en mayo de 2013). Pulsa aquí.   Si para el momento de la conferencia (mayo de 2013) ya habrás cumplido 30 años o más, te ofrecemos un proceso de solicitud diferente, que estará disponible desde el 26 de marzo de 2012. La fecha límite para todas las solicitudes es, sin excepción, el 15 de abril de 2012 (12 p.m. hora del este en Estados Unidos). Nuestras innovadoras conferencias, realizadas en el 2007 y 2010, fueron los eventos de mayor convocatoria de la década,  enfocados en la salud y el empoderamiento de las niñas y mujeres. En el año 2010, dimos cita a 3400 personas provenientes de 146 países, en Washington D.C., incluyendo a 75 parlamentarios y ministros de gobierno, a cinco directores de agencias de la ONU, al Secretario General de Naciones Unidas y a más de 100 medios de comunicación internacionales.  Nuestra tercera conferencia será aún  mejor y más grande.  Esperamos contar con 5000 participantes de todo el mundo, de los sectores público y privado. Nuestro objetivo es movilizar acciones para mejorar la salud y el bienestar de las niñas y mujeres en todas partes.  Estaremos ofreciendo becas completas de asistencia a la conferencia a un número selecto de participantes, con el propósito de aumentar la participación de aquellos grupos que con frecuencia no están suficientemente representados, incluyendo a las personas jóvenes y a aquellos provenientes del “Sur Global”.  El apoyo económico incluye el registro en la conferencia, el tiquete de  ida y vuelta en clase turista, la estadía en el hotel y un estipendio fijo para cubrir gastos de visa y otros incidentales. Los(as) ganadores(as) de las becas deberán: - Atender toda la conferencia - Estar en capacidad de comunicarse oralmente y por escrito en inglés. Contaremos con traducción durante las sesiones plenarias, pero esto no será posible en todas las sesiones de trabajo.  - Contar con acceso regular al correo electrónico, puesto que esta será nuestra vía de comunicación con relación a fechas límites, registros, hoteles y arreglos de viaje.  - Tener interés en temas vinculados al desarrollo mundial.  - Mostrar un comportamiento profesional.  Tenga en cuenta que: - Es necesario que respondas a nuestros correos electrónicos en forma oportuna. De no hacerlo podrás perder la beca.  - Solo estamos en capacidad de ofrecer tiquetes en clase turista económica, desde el punto de origen hasta Kuala Lumpur y desde Kuala Lumpur hacia tu punto de partida inicial. Igualmente, solo podemos ofrecer hotel durante las fechas de la conferencia.  Cualquier modificación o ampliación correrá por tu cuenta.  - Pulsa aquí para obtener información sobre requerimientos de visado. Back to top 15 Février 2012 Ouverture des demandes de bourses pour les moins de 30 ans Les dossiers de candidatures pour la prochaine conférence internationale de Women Deliver (Les Femmes donnent la vie) qui aura lieu du 28 au 30 mai 2013 à Kuala Lumpur, Malaisie – sont à présent disponibles ici pour les candidats âgés de moins de 30 ans (jusqu’à mai 2013).   Si en mai 2013, vous serez âgé de 30 ans ou plus, vous bénéficierez d’une candidature séparée le 26 mars 2012. Date limite pour l’ensemble des bourses le 15 avril 2012 (12h, heure de New York), sans exception. Nos conférences innovantes de 2007 et 2010 étaient les plus importantes de la décennie sur la santé et responsabilisation des jeunes filles et des femmes. En 2010, nous avons rassemblé à Washington, DC 3400 personnes venues de 146 pays y compris 75 parlementaires et ministres, cinq responsables d’agences des Nations Unies, le Secrétaire général de l’ONU et plus de 100 supports médiatiques du monde entier.  Notre troisième conférence internationale aura un retentissement plus important avec plus de 5000 participants issus des secteurs publics et privés des quatre coins du monde. Notre but est de mobiliser pour améliorer la santé et le bien-être des jeunes filles et des femmes de toutes parts. Pour faire en sorte qu’il y ait le plus de participants possibles issus des catégories les moins représentées, à savoir les jeunes et ceux qui viennent des pays du Sud, nous assurerons une prise en charge totale pour un certain nombre de participants à la conférence. Ce soutien inclut l’inscription à la conférence, le billet d’avion en classe économique, l’hébergement à l’hôtel, et un financement fixe des frais de visa et autres frais occasionnels.  Les lauréats de la bourse doivent: - Assister à la conférence dans son intégralité.  - Etre capables de communiquer en anglais à la fois oralement et par écrit.  Des traductions seront disponibles lors des séances plénières mais ce ne sera pas possible pour les ateliers. - Avoir un accès régulier à l’email car ce sera notre mode de communication avec vous pour vous informer des dates limites, des inscriptions, des dispositions relatives à l’hébergement et au voyage. - Avoir un intérêt pour les questions portant sur le développement international. - Se conduire de manière professionnelle. Veuillez noter que: - Vous devrez répondre à nos emails dans les délais prévus. Dans le cas contraire, vous perdrez votre place. - Nous ne pouvons prendre en charge que des billets en classe économique de votre lieu de départ à Kuala Lumpur et de Kuala Lumpur à votre point de départ, ainsi que les frais d’hébergement uniquement pendant la période correspondant à la durée de la conférence. Toute modification ou prolongation sera à votre charge. - Pour les informations relatives aux conditions requises pour l’obtention du visa, veuillez cliquer ici. Back to top

Campus should focus on safety, not students’ dress

This article originally appeared on World Pulse, 
an action media network powered by women from 185 countries. 

The ruling patriarchy is once more at work at the University of Buea (UB).

Recently, the Director of Student Affairs; Dr Ludwig Metuge made a public announcement blaming the prevalence of sexual violence on campus on the ‘indecent’ dressing of women. 

A majority of female students have experienced one or two forms of sexual abuse from male academic staff on campus, said Mr Che Eugene, a guidance counselor for the Faculty of Social and Management Sciences, in an interview.  These assaults often happen in the office and in lecture halls, when students are requesting make-up tests or extra lectures, submission of overdue assignments, and making other pleas to male academic staff. Mr Che said. .

And as long as these female students continue to dress suggestively, exposing certain body parts like the breast, legs, and shoulder- sexual violence is likely to be prevalent on campus, Mr. Che added.

So, in an effort towards preventing such crime on campus, the university authorities have implemented a stringent dressing code. Campus security men are given the ultimate power to send away so-called ‘indecently’ dressed students.  In Dec 2011, this led to over 50 female students bullied out of campus. One of the security guard who sought anonymity said to me.

“Nov 25^th, 9 am, on my way to class, I was stopped by the security guards and chase out of campus saying- my dress were indecent. Just because I wore a slim jean and a T-shirt” Mary, a second year student recalled her sad experienced.

UB fails to recognize that sexual violence remains a major security threat to humankind, particularly women. As well as, it is still one of the most widely unreported crimes, according to Amnesty International 2004 Publication on “Making Violence Against Women Counts”.

Even so, the fact is sexual violence can happen at any time-during armed conflicts and riots and even in nations with socio-economic and political stability.

A WHO Multi-Country Survey study on women’s health and domestic violence against women in 2011 stated that 70% of women between the age; 15 to 49 years in Ethiopia and Peru, reported being victims of sexual violence by an intimate partner.

all wears are sexy.UB should focus on safety and not students' dress

Moreover, UB should understand that each dress has a unique beauty. This makes it sexy. Whether it is a long robe, nightwear, or shorts. These clothes are simply to ensure that their clients derive maximum satisfaction and contentment.

 Ironically, University of Buea is conceived in the English-speaking tradition governing the fundamental rights of freedom of speech. Founded on moral and intellectual principles, and within the Central African region, it is accredited for excellence. So, instead of UB to continue wasting time and resources blaming student dressing, the university should focus on creating real solutions to stop this security threat whose actions have implications for the campus’ reputation, both locally and globally.

Contrary to UB, at least one ruling patriarch condemns the university’s claim and describes it as being a “flimsy excuse based on selfish motif”. “UB should respect individual rights, their dignity and choices”, said Mr. Nzume Mathias, chief of service for the Family Wellbeing at MINWEF- South West Region, Cameroon.

So, campus authorities should spend valuable moments thinking on how to address the issue of security, identify perpetrators of sexual violence, and provide justice to victims.  This could be accomplished by creating an independent sector on campus that works to prevent sexual violence. The Discrimination and Harassment Office (DISCHO) -University of Cape Town in South Africa is a good model. But if a special committee already exists, UB should make it public to all.

In addition, it demands that UB adopt a sexual harassment policy purposefully addressing issues of sexual violence on campus. The policy should also be made clear in the student guides, public and accessible to all, including heads of academic departments and faculty members, campus clubs and associations, academic staff and student

  

The classical ruling patriarchs’ ideologies—in this case, that the victims are to blame for sexual violence--must not prevail. Students’ deserve to have an educational environment where they feel safe and have the freedom to express themselves in what they wear.

Moonlight Storytelling: How it promoted gender equality

Almost 3 decades ago, growing up as the eldest sibling of 3 now 5, I enjoyed listening to the evening moonlight tales from my parents. This ranged from womankind to mankind endeavors and resistance; Animals and non-animals engagement with humans. Like the stories of the ‘tortoise and the bird friends’, the ‘mother hen and the hawk’. 

However, storytelling remains Africa’s ancient heritage. Scholars in this field have written extensively on how storytellings resolved conflicts both at the family and community levels, united people and also instituted norms and customs. Through storytelling, they say; history was borne and the human race was taught to live in harmony. 

Early this month, I came up with this idea, just for fun and also to understand what young people think – Initially this essay was designed to get instant responses (reactions). That is firstly each person should recall at least a tale [s]he enjoyed most when they were children, and secondly to find out how each of the tales represented women. And also whether during storytelling moments, girls and boys were grouped separately, likewise women and men. 

Funny enough, I least expected that it will take over 4 days to complete this short essay. Since many people could hardly remember instantly. Some managed to recall the sitting environment like the locations, sitting postures, the time the stories were often told, the people but not the stories per se.  While others kept mixing up one story to another and yet not been able to complete a single story. As a result, of the 15 people I encountered, almost 2/3 had to reschedule me for another appointment. Which wasn’t my initial thought. However, the end was awesome. My sources became so excited and amazed at their childhood experience, and how lovely it used-to be. Many even questioned why this heritage suddenly disappeared.

Throughout my findings, I observed that different communities had different ways of telling stories. But what was common in all was the sitting a posture, which was always in circles and on the ground, outsides the houses the time too was evening hours.And while for me, it was usually at home outside. Others had particular storytelling sites. 

Personally, I recalled how each day as the sun sets, and the night drew thicker and darker. We [my family] would gathered outside of the house, sited in a circle, positioned in a strategic corner where we could see the main road as the numerous cars drove passed by, and in case we were to be visited we could site our guest from a far.  And at our center we gathered and burned firewood on nights which were too dark or when the mosquitos’ bites became unbearable. 

While for Osyta, at Oroko clan, Mbonge- Weme. Storytellings weremostlytold only in mami-pikin’shouseespecially if it was a first child(‘mami-pikin’ is a local meaning for a woman who has just given birth)”.

Osyta says;“in the 80s, and late 90s, every evening round 7:30 to 8:00 pm, people will come tomami-pikin house. Kids like us would sit on the ground(uncemented floor), while the elders sit on the stool discussing over a jug of palm wine drink and cola-nuts or eating boiled groundnuts. Gradually, stories begin to popup until the storytellers would take the turn”. 

For Rein, her grandfather and grandaunt were the village story tellers. Every evening, she says; “we[the villagers] will climb up to the hilly mud-thatch hut where my grandparents live, and formed one large circle which we lighted with the only kerosene lamp [s]he had. And on other occasions, we used a trocar (A Trocar is a 500g even-shaped glass bottle Lamp Light filled with kerosene and a single twine that is raised up to the specially design lid, used for combustion). And kids, adults and other elderly people would sit on the ground on plantain leaves-covers silently listened to Pa / Ma speaks. The one thing I enjoy is how they convinced their audiences. And sometimes they would provide evidence to make us believe that their tales isn’t just fiction but reality. For example, I recalled clearly the day, my aunt stood up and pointed at the moon saying:  “Look. Can you see Mary, Jesus’ mother and Jesus in her arms, watching over us on earth?” This was after my grandfather had told us about a woman, who was a fire maker capable of producing fire even under heavy rain falls. And thanks to the fire woman her community became the first to illuminate at nights within that locality and at day time, the glowing fire became an ornamented gas”.   

Recollecting each and every one’s experience, and reflecting back, as a child with no knowledge about the so called gender concepts; masculinity and feminism; women and maleness because the teachings promoted an inclusive society. Like men, women were brave figures, security providers, discoverers, inventors, and change agents. And violence, discrimination or cruelties were considered as evil and certainly never encouraged.

The question therefore is how can we restore this fading culture? Or would reviving this heritage be a set forward in re-building and living the reality of those tales where equality is center and evil never triumphs?