Muslim Women in Cameroon call for peace and social cohesion
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Muslim women in Cameroon have made a call for the promotion of peace in Cameroon during a women’s peace conference organized on Saturday 22 September 2018 by the Council of Imams and Muslim Dignitaries (CIDIMUC) in commemoration of the International day of peace celebrated on September 21st each year.
A cross section of participants attending the Women’s Peace conference. Photo:UN Women/ Teclaire Same
This mega-conference organized in the run up of the presidential election was aimed at educating and raising awareness of women and other stakeholders about the need to seek a greater synergy of actions to strengthen peace, social cohesion and national unity. The different speakers noted that election periods are often characterized by a rise in activism and violence especially in areas already marked by conflicts and highlighted the indispensable role of women in preserving and consolidating peace. Women were also encouraged to seize the opportunity of the elections to promote social cohesion and peace by participating in electoral and other democratic processes to make their voices heard.
Regional Director of UNESCO delivering the opening remarks at the women’s peace conference. Photo: UN Women/ Teclaire Same
At the end of the conference, Mme Ngabaya Pichaye David, President of the Network or Civil Society Organizations for the fight against Radicalization and Terrorism (COSC-CRT), presented the “Declaration of Women”. The declaration denounced the rise in violence and radicalization, subsequent deaths of their husbands and children in conflict zones and the unprecedented increase in internally displaced persons and refugees. The women engaged to sensitize everyone in their respective communities to promote the culture of peace and dialogue and need to preserve peace and stability. They equally exhorted religious leaders to continue praying for peace and pledged to support all actions by government and other stakeholders in the quest to restore peace.
Mme Ngabaya Pichaye David, President of the Network or Civil Society Organizations for the fight against Radicalization and Terrorism (COSC-CRT), presented the “Declaration of Women”. Photo: UN Women/Teclaire Same
The mega conference was organized by CIDIMUC in partnership with UN Women, UNESCO and More Women in Politics a local civil society organization promoting women’s leadership and political participation.