Inhabitants of Ntambag community in Bamenda II sub division have committed to wipe out aspects of toxic masculinity, challenge and transform harmful gender norms and behaviors in their communities.
The commitment taken during workshop sessions with community spokespersons is under the project adjust for me aimed at transforming institutions and communities for better access to sexual reproductive health rights services implemented by Common Action for Gender Development, COMAGEND.
Activities carried out through door to door sensitization, visitation of prayer grounds, meeting houses engaged women, men, young boys and girls on topics such as encouraging open conversations about sex education, harmful traditional practices, body autonomy, discouraged excessive dowries and objectifying of the girl child, toxic masculinity, gender based violence, gender equity, parental responsibility, sexual and reproductive health rights.
Understanding that gender based violence is caused by aspects such as lack of jobs Bashira Bintu Adama participant in one of the sessions suggested empowerment.
“The organization should create opportunities such as training workshops to train women on the different trades available such as tailoring, beads designing, décor and make up so as to empower women. Some of the women really like to go to school but they do not have the means.” She said
To another participant Eucharia Kuoh, the community spokespersons and topics raised have been eye openers as they have comfortably taken part in some of these harmful practices.
“Before being part of this session, I though female genital mutilation was a good thing to do as this is practiced in my culture. I have gained knowledge on the dangers of female genital mutilation such the fact that it violates women’s rights, the excess pain women go through after the clitoris is cut off and even the bleeding. I know of some women who have died after this was done on them. Women are deprived from something they need while all they need is to be cautioned. I will go back to my community and share the knowledge I have gained from this session.” Eucharia mentioned.
Challenges and breakthroughs
Galabe Kingsley one of the spokespersons in the Ntambag community said they have faced some challenges in an attempt to communicate and pass out their message.
“This has not been a bed of roses, since there are two different religious bodies in the area, Muslims and Christians; it is at times difficult to bring them together to talk. Then when we go to the aspects of sexual and reproductive health. That is where we have had our greatest challenge especially when we spoke about the use of condoms and family planning. For instance, in one of our sessions with some of these persons when we asked questions on who knows about the female condoms, everyone left the hall and there was too much grumbling. Other people have welcomed the topic, We are positive that as we move further we will be able to penetrate other areas…” he said
