COMINSUD through Mr Neba Célestine impacted youths and the elderly ( fons, queens, pastors and imams representative and another clergy) With knowledge on the need for intergenerational Dialogue. During the workshop there was the need to identify the perception, interest and need of young and old people; the results of this exercise clear proved that there is an existing conflict between the youths and the old, what divided them is more than what unites them. Youths see the old to be old fashioned, obsessed with power, vulnerable and weak. While the elderly view the youths as suspicious, manipulative, violent and disrespectful.
However there were some positive perceptions the youths and the elderly have; while the youths see the olds as an Archive of knowledge, the old on the other hand see the youth as the future of tomorrow.
Strategies on how to enhance one to one advocacy ( proximity advocacy) were presented by the facilitator as well as strategies to prevent tension by the old and young
Training of Survivors of GBV and Vulnerable persons in some Communities hosting IDPs in the West and Northwest Regions affected by conflicts. This was on Income Generating Activities ( IGA), a project of UNFPA- PBF implemented by COMINSUD.
They where acquire skills/ empowered on; 1) Small Livestock Production 2) Vegetable Cultivation 3) Pastry production/ Cookery 4) Basic Skills in Small Business Management.
After this empowerment, they will be given start-up/supportive capitals for setup.
State authorities, senators, quarter heads, the media and Over 40 Civil society members amplified their voices today Wednesday, Oct 27 2021 at Hilltop hotel on land tenure issues.
This meeting main objective was to present the survey and recommendation assembled by NWADO and her consultant to the participants.
Some discoveries in the research include the High percentage of more men owning land than women .and only 7 youths who obtained land through inheritance.
In the survey, it was also discovered that when it comes to acquiring land certificates there is no gender Bayas as it has always been believed. Everyone is treated equally.
Moreover to acquire land in Bamenda most people spend an average of 60,0000 to 700,000 thousand.
The meeting was indeed full of exchanges from the various stakeholders present .most of the preoccupation came from the question on the cost of a land certificate in the Northwest Region and the right procedure that landowners have to follow to acquire land. However, the Delegate present said their doors are open to everyone who needs to know the right procedure; he also advised everyone to avoid middlemen when trying to acquire land.
As the saying goes Rome was not built on a single day, much has to be done as far as land issues are concerned.
Let this meeting be one of the stepping stones for a change.
The Regional Director of WFP in charge of Central and West Africa accompanied by the Country Director of WFP Cameroon and the head of Field office North West visited Bamenda the capital town of the North West Region on the 21st October 2021. As part of the visit, the regional director met some 25 beneficiaries of COVID-19 response Cash Based Transfer (CBT) project at Bayelle parish hall, Nkwen with the aim of seeing them, and listening to their stories, challenges and opinions about the project.
COMINSUD, as cooperating partner, with WFP is implementing the CBT project alongside the General Food Distribution and Nutrition. The CBT project started in August 2020 for 6 months. The project has been extended three times (in January 2021, June 2021 and October 2021) The project reaches out to 28,323 vulnerable persons (Female 18,888 and Male 9441 in four divisions including Mezam (Bamenda l, ll, lll, Santa and Tubah subdivisions), Ngoketunjia (Ndop), Bui (Kumbo) and Momo (Mbengwi) with a monthly assistance of 5000 frs per beneficiary.
The regional director interacting with COMINSUD Staff
The visit gave an opportunity for WFP visiting delegation to meet and interact with some beneficiaries of the CBT programme. During the visit, the regional director sought to have first-hand information from the beneficiaries on how the crisis in the NWR has affected them and to understand the ways in which the assistance helped them. Beneficiaries presented their stories while highlighting the impact of the support they have been receiving in their lives especially in improving their nutrition, health, economic empowerment, shelter and education. The beneficiaries were very grateful and happy for the timely humanitarian cash base assistance from the WFP and expressed their joy using songs and dance to the delegation.
The regional director interacting with CBT beneficiaries
After listening to the stories of the beneficiaries, the Regional Director was visibly elated by what the assistance has done. In pidgin language, he sympathised with the current crisis situation saying that people should remain hopeful and patient because everything that has a beginning such as the crisis surely has an end. The regional director said he will transmit the messages of appreciation to the hierarchy and share the testimonies with goodwill persons who make the donations of the assistance. He ended up by appreciating the team for the marvellous work they are doing in serving humanity in a very challenging and risky context.
During the visit, the regional director also had a separate meeting with representatives of all cooperating partners in the NWR including COMINSUD, SHUMAS, LUKMEF, INTERSOS, PLAN International and CARITAS Bamenda. The meeting was also aimed at sharing successes and challenges faced by the CPs. From one CP to the other, they presented the various projects implemented in partnership with WFP focusing on targets, successes and challenges. Most of the CPs cited insecurity as the main challenge. The regional director sought to know the opinions of the CPs on the possibility of the crisis ending anytime soon. All the CPs noted that the crisis is nowhere near ending. Instead, there seems to be a rise in violent activities and the NSAG have gained skills in the fabrication of IEDs and have also acquired more sophisticated weapons which are clear indications that the crisis will still drag on.
The regional and country director with field office
At the end of the meeting, the regional director appreciated the efforts of CPs in providing lifesaving food and cash services to vulnerable persons in very difficult security situations. He encouraged CPs to continue working in the same spirit while exercising caution as the carryout activities. The visit at Bayelle parish hall ended at about 1pm while the delegation from WFP proceeded to meet the beneficiaries of GFD.
Lopti, edited by Dr Zama and Celestine Co – staff Juliette, Linda and Sylvia
This is within the Emergency nutrition response project in Bali, Batibo and Mbengwi Health Districts in the North West Region.
To this effect, a training of 30 Community Health Workers on screening, referral and Infant and Young Child Feeding in Emergency in COVID 19 context was organized at the COMINSUD head office in Bamenda on Saturday 9 October 2021
The purpose of the workshop was to empower them on screening, referral and sensitization so that they can implement the knowledge gained in their respective communities.
The project is sponsored by UNICEF and implemented by COMINSUD. The Project duration is 6 months.
Five Community Based Organisations (CBOs) in the North West Region have been empowered to implement the Community-Led Monitoring (CLM) project that seeks to offer more services and facilities to Persons Living with HIV. They are part of 48 CBOs that shall be trained nationwide.
The two-day training that held from 18-19 September, at the COMINSUD head office in Bamenda as opened by Dr. Gladys Tayong the North West Regional Coordinator for HIV/AIDS
The Coordinator of COMINSUD receiving the HIV logo
The Reseau Camerounais des Associations de Person nes vivant avec le VIH/SIDA (RECAP+) is recipient of a U.S grant- from the U.S President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS relief(PEPFAR) through USAID to implement the CML activity. Through CML, RECAP+,will build on its nationwide network of associations of people living with HIV to strengthen the capacity of the CBOs to serve and advocate for those living with HIV.
Participants at the Workshop
This activity will last for three years. COMINSUD is the focal point for the North West Region
Violence against women and girls continue to be on the rise with the onset of the socio-political crisis in the two English speaking regions of Cameroon. Negative masculinity is one of the attitudes that generate traditions of terror and encourage the use of violence against women and girls as enshrined in patriarchy. Brutal expressions of masculinity remain widespread. Though men and boys remain the main perpetrators of GBV, they can also play a fundamental role in fostering gender parity. That is why COMINSUD as the implementing partner for the UNFPA funded project through CERF titled “Achieving transformative results on social norms and practices that perpetuate gender-based violence and gender inequalities through the provision of quality multi-sectoral GBV response services and empowerment of Women-Led Organization in the Far North, North West and South West Regions” carried out capacity building workshops and dialogue sessions during the month of June in five subdivisions (Bamenda II, Belo, Njinikom, Batibo and Widikum) of the Northwest regions aimed at building the capacity of men and boys to enable them fully get involved in the fight against GBV.
Why work with men and boys, community and religious leaders (Summary)
Working with men, boys and community elders can help to dramatically enhance the effectiveness of our message on ending Gender-Based Violence
Men can substantially impart their traditions and beliefs onto younger generations. Traditional leaders have the authority needed to decrease the acceptance of gender based violence, and their voices are particularly important when it comes to reaching out to boys and men
Working with spiritual leaders has proven paramount in opening a new space for dialogue, in teaching boys’ different lessons about manhood: boys become men by seeing and supporting women as human beings.
Our choice to work with men and boys is informed by the fact that masculine perceptions show traditional stereotyped mindsets, which shape the identity and behavior of men and young boys, thereby perpetuating gender inequalities rather than breaking patriarchal norms.
Participants at the men and boys including community and religious leaders in workshop in Widikum.
In my view
Masculine construction which is the main driving force behind women and girls’ disempowerment and vulnerability requires manhood to be equated with the ability to exert power over others, especially through the use of force. Masculinity, as it is espoused, gives man the power to control the lives of those around him, especially women and young girls. For us at COMINSUD, the solution to the insidious gender-based violence in the North West is working with men and boys, religious and community leaders as key partners against the vice at the local levels. We developed and shared new and effective strategies for engaging men and boys as principal partners in the holistic respect of the rights of girls and women. We encouraged men and boys to break out of the portrayal of girl’s enjoyment of their rights as a women’s struggle only, where almost the only role available to men and boys is that of the perpetrator. Through the capacity building and dialogue sessions, we encouraged men and boys to embrace their role as advocates against girl’s and women’s vulnerability. Our work is anchored on transforming possible abusers into steadfast partners. At COMINSUD, we firmly believe that the way forward is to engage men and boys as well as the community as a whole to fight this social ill that is being perpetrated against women. This is because social transformation does not happen without community engagement. Community engagement is a necessary part of working to prevent and respond to all forms of gender-based violence. Gender norms (especially gendered beliefs and practices) at the community level are among the root causes of Gender-Based Violence.
The Coordinator of COMINSUD Mr Fon Nsoh, speaking in one of the workshops held in Bamenda, working with the community and religious leaders to end Gender-Based Violence is a good initiative because Religious and community leaders are influential people in the society so people can actually listen to them and act on what they say. One way through which this can be done is by affirmative action. As for the men and boys they can adopt peer to peer method when addressing issues of GBV and women’s rights.
However, to some participants especially in Belo and Batibo, enforcing women’s rights and equality of sexes will make women be disrespectful at home which in turn can lead to homes being broken thereby causing more harm than good. This idea was dismissed on the ground that when women are treated with respect and dignity, they turn to be more respectful and lead happy lives despite the challenges of life.
To other participants especially in Widikum, concentrating on women and young girls and their rights and leaving out the men who at times also suffer from the GBV was seen to be discriminatory. It was, however, explained that emphasis is laid on women and girls because statistics show that they are the ones who suffer the most from this societal ill.
In all, participants appreciated COMINSUD for organizing such and enriching and educative workshop. Topics discussed during the workshop touched on issues that are really of great concern to the society. One participant could already imagine the positive changes in the homes of participants after the knowledge they have acquired in this workshop. Another participant in Njinikom confessed that he had been a perpetrator of GBV without knowing. He promised to go back to his community determined to fight GBV by sensitizing the community about its ills and negative consequences using the knowledge he has acquired from the workshop, encourage his peers to leave behind practices that expose women and young girls to GBV and to connect survivors to specialized services using the referral pathway distributed during these sessions.
COMINSUD needs the services of Community Volunteers to carry out sensitization on Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV), provide psychological First Aid, link SGBV survivors and vulnerable women and girls to services centered for case intervention. They will also assist in conducting safety audits and risk assessment on SGBV and promote information on the use of the Referral Pathway.
The duration of the assignment will be for 3 months and the location of the assignment will be in the West Region in Position will be in Bafoussam, Bangangte, Mbouda, Dschang, and Kutaba/ Foumban.
Interested applicants should be: • holders at post advanced level diploma holder with those with stronger preference for those with diploma in heath care. • have past experiences in carrying out community moblisation, senitisation campaigns • be able to communicate effectively in English, Pidgin, French and be able to write reports in proper English • be between the age range of 25-45 years • be living in locality with a good mastery of area
Qualified and interested applicants should send a letter of expression of interest providing details of the points mentioned above including the contact of two persons for references with whom they have worked in the past 3 years.
Applications should be addressed to the Coordinator of COMINSUD and sent via the email: info@cominsud.org or to the contact WhatsApp: . • Only short listed applicants will be called for interview and they will be expected to present relevant documents.
Deadline for receiving application is Tuesday 8th June 2021 at 2: pm.
Since November 2016, the North-West and South-West Regions of Cameroon are facing crises which have left hundreds of thousands of persons more vulnerable especially women, girls and children. The unrest has caused significant destabilization of economic and social livelihood and security situation as well as the safety nets and protection system of families. It has caused multiple waves of population displacements, various forms of violence and abuses on the populations especially gender based violence on children, women, girls and persons living with disabilities. It has limited access to social services and increased the challenges in addressing sexually and reproductive health needs. According to UNFPA -GBVIMS reports from January-September 2020, the majority of cases reported (40%) were cases of sexual assaults and rape and 88% of survivors were female (including 5% persons living with disability), 28% were children including those who were unaccompanied or separated children. More than a half (53%) of the GBV incidents was reported in North West Region.
Case Management Workers and UNFPA GBV Experts
It is within this context that COMINSUD with the support of UNFPA has been working to provide lifesaving GBV and sexual reproductive health prevention, response and interventions since mid-2018 particularly for IDPs, returnees, host and affected communities. When we talk about Gender based Violence we are refereeing to acts that fall within this six broad categories: rape; sexual exploitation and assault; denial of resources and opportunities; early and forced marriages; physical violence and; psychological and emotional violence. Sexual reproductive health were focused on family planning, menstrual hygiene, safe delivery, STI and HIV/AIDs.
The scope of our work in this domains that been extended to over 20 councils of the North West Region and 2 towns (Bafoussam and Bagangte) in the West Regions. Activities carried out reached out that have contributed to the transformation of tens of thousands of lives are;
Provision of GBV multi-sectoral support to survivors of GBV and those with SRH challenges, where in over 40,000 persons have benefited from various psycho- social packages.
Setting up and running 6 women and girls safe spaces that has provided case management, social cohesion and recreational activities and skill development to over 11,000 vulnerable women and girls
Production and dissemination of over 20,000 copies of the referral pathways to improve on access to services for survivors
Distribution of dignity kits to over 15,000 vulnerable women and girls of reproductive age while carrying out sensitization on GBV prevention, response and COVID-19 prevention.
Production and broadcast of radio programs on GBV prevention and response services and COVID-19 prevention reaching over 200,000 persons
Production and distribution of over 10,000 copies of various IEC materials to aid in the community awareness raising programs.
Beneficiaries of Dignity Kits in a hard to reach area in Batibo
The actions have contributed in transforming social norms and practices that perpetuate gender-based violence and gender inequalities through provision of quality multi-sectoral GBV response services and empowerment of women. The interventions have improve access to quality and timely response services with particular emphasis on Clinical Management of Rape, were in any case reported is referred for emergency medical attention within 72 hours. Through the GBV case management approach, the project have improved holistic care for survivors with various service provides working in synergy. The provision of appropriate mental health and psychosocial support, health care including clinical management of rape (CMR) and relevant reproductive health services, cash assistance to meet urgent protection needs, legal assistance and options for safety/security are aspects and thousands of beneficiaries across the Region testify about. The interventions allow the reinforcement of survivor-centered prevention approaches that has been at the center of the success.
COMINSUD in 2012 will continued to offer lifesaving GBV and SRH interventions to vulnerable IPDS, returnees, persons in communities hosting IDPs as well as persons living in communities affected by the conflict. It will as well engage in local advocacy actions religious, traditional and opinion leaders to increase actions that reduce the prevalence of GBV incidences and enhance accesses to SRH services. Community leaders and youth especially men and boys will be specifically targeted and will benefit from refresher trainings on key GBV concepts, causes and consequences. With the support of local authorities, community dialogues will be organized on a regular basis to publicly discuss gender inequalities in society towards changing perceptions and attitudes the promote GBV especially among men and boys.
COMINSUD is pleased to be establishing a memorandum of understanding with the University of Bamenda Medical Students Association (UBaMSA) as community outreach partner that will take the ideals of the project in the university milieu as well as into communities during their health campaign. By working together, we hope to strengthen the capacity of the Association to enable it be more sensitive to respond to GVB and SRH issues from the community perspective.
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Community Initiative for Sustainable Development (COMINSUD) was founded in 1996 by five young graduates. It has evolved from a local group taking direct action to improve waste management to a leading organization in Cameroon’s Civil Society space
COMINSUD needs the services of trained and experience Internal Control Officer who will be responsible for conducting evaluations of COMINSUD to assess risk and compliance with regulations.
Qualification:
Applicants should be holders of at least a Bachelor’s degree in Finance, accounting or business administration or related field of study. Qualified applicants should send hand written applications indicating the following:
Motivation letter
Academic or professional qualification
Proof of at least 2 years work experience
At least 2 references with at least one professional
Experience on the use of computer and ICT tools for communication
Any other relevant information related to the position
Necessary Skills
You must be highly organised, efficient, detail-oriented and able to multitask. You should have a proactive work ethic, unbending moral code and the ability to think analytically. Strong oral and written communication skills are also crucial in conveying important information to management, employees and outside agencies. You must be able to work interdependently with a team and have the flexibility to thrive in an ever-changing and sometimes loosely structured environment. In addition, in-depth knowledge of applicable regulatory requirements, accounting procedures and Microsoft Office software is a plus.
Interested applicants should address their applications to the Board Chair Person of COMINSUD.
Community Initiative for Sustainable Development (COMINSUD) 