Widowhood is neither desired, wished for nor is it of right. While many still see it to be repugnant to natural justice equity and good conscience, many ethnic groups in Cameroon still go for practices that make the stage more like a hell.
Without exact data, Margaret Owens on “Issues of Discrimination in Widowhood in Cameroon,” states that an estimated 500,000 widows exist in the 250 ethnic groups in Cameroon with the number skyrocketing due to the socio political unrest.
It is on this note, an NGO known as Target Peace joined Africa to celebrate the 59th edition of Pan African Women's Day on Saturday July 31, 2021 tagged "Widows build Peace, target Peace and #defyhatenow in Cameroon"
The event which took place in four towns, Buea, Douala, Bafoussam and Bamenda with over 500 widows who participated with speakers like Jessie Atogho Ekukole, Chantal Kambiwa and Tony Ghaye joining Target Peace from Yaounde and London through zoom to empower the widows to shun hate speech , #defyhatenow, practice peace and build a hate free Cameroon.
Speaking during the workshop in Buea the representative of the regional delegate for women empowerment and the family South West Madam Geraldine Ndema urged the widows not to loose hope that all is finished, but to maintain their pride and dignity. She emphasised that widows need to be respected because they are in the category of vulnerable persons but unfortunately most times they are treated badly.
She challenged the widows to accept the situation and power themselves economically and not to die in their pain. She assured the widows that her ministry is ready to assist them.
Speaking to the representative of the founder Amy Banda, coordinator for Target Peace Buea chapter Simon Ndive he said Target Peace empowered these widows so that they can be agents of peace, while #defyhatenow and combat gender based violence, discrimination and sex crimes so as to pave the way for a Cameroon without hate.
Quizzed on his expectations after the workshop, he explained that they expect the widows to become peace agents or peace ambassadors and advocate for peace. And equally for the widows to mitigate the effects of the barbaric and discriminatory practices against them.
Lydia Edibe one of the facilitators urged the widows that being a widow is not the end of life, but another face of life. "The fact that their husbands are dead they should follow up with their dreams and ambitions" She added.
Speaking to one of the widows Christina Zebom, she appreciated Target Peace for the knowledge she has acquired on how to make doughnuts, scotch eggs among others.
