Women and Girls leaders empowered to fight HIV/AIDS, GBV and Covid-19

Bafoussam November 11-12, 2021.  

From the 11th to the 12th of November 2021, CAMYOSFOP in partnership with UN Women organized a workshop to train 20 women and girls leaders drawn from local associations in Bafoussam, West region of Cameroon on the prevention, care and cure of HIV/AIDS, GBV and COVID-19 in their communities. This workshop, seeks to improve service delivery to persons living with HIV/AIDs amidst COVID-19, is part of a project implemented in the West, East and Littoral regions of Cameroon. 

Research has shown that women and girls are more vulnerable to contracting HIV/AIDS and to suffer from GBV. As such they need a specific and tailored approach in solving their problems. According to CAMYOSFOP'S Executive Director Eugene NGALIM « The 2018 Cameroon Demographic and Health Survey reveals the West region among the regions with the highest HIV prevalence rate in Cameroon with an estimated 1.6% of the population made of PLWHIV. Women in this region aged between 15 and 49 represent a prevalence of 1.8% compared with 1.3% for men in the same age group. Even though this prevalence appears to be lower, compared to the East (5.6%) and Littoral (4.8%) regions, the West region still remains one of the most vulnerable in the current context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Also, women and girls living in this region are certainly facing challenges, related to GBV and Covid-19 among others thus it was important to strengthen their knowledge and capacities on the subject matter to prevent these vices».  

During the training, women and girls were equipped with practical tools which sought to reinforce their capacities to prevent GBV and COVID-19 through the various modules taught: The national strategies to combat HIV/AIDS in times of COVID-19, Gender, HIV and stigmatization, mapping and scenarios of HIV prevalence and gender-based violence in Cameroon and Human rights-based approach to eliminating stigma, discrimination and feminization of HIV/AIDS amongst others.  

According to Monthe Audrey, a project beneficiary, a similar workshop should be extended to other regions of Cameroon in need of support so that HIV can decrease or even disappear. To MAFO Gladiste, the workshop was timely assuring to use the knowledge acquired in the training back in her community and among her peers. 

The workshop ended with the adoption of pertinent recommendations from the women and girls that will come a long way to improve on future initiatives aimed at combating HIV, GBV in times of COVID. Such a timely programme to promote the full realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all persons infected or affected by HIV/AIDS including the areas of prevention, care, support, and treatment. Participants left the 48-hour strategic workshop set to discourage practices and behaviors reinforcing gender equalities and the fight against the spread of HIV/AIDS, GBV and COVID-19. 

UN Women Cameroon, located behind the Residence of the Nigerian High Commissioner to Cameroon, BP:836-Yaoundé 

Communication focal point: Nelly KAMDEM, Email: [ Click to reveal ]. : 658 02 89 40