Role of Women in Peacebuilding. Contribution of women in peacebuilding through various pioneering efforts and works of life in Cameroon

1. Friedrich Ebert Stiftung
By Dr Daniel EKONGWE: Regional Director, Pan African Institute for Development for West
Africa,
Email: dan_ekongwe@yahoo.com
Title: Women in Cameroon’s Peace Processes: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of
Women’s Contribution in the Far North, Northwest and Southwest.
Abstract
This article accesses the implementation of UNSCR 1325 in the Far north, Northwest and
Southwest of Cameroon. Our objective is to explore how UNSCR 1325 has galvanized the
women from the study regions in contributing to peacebuilding processes in Cameroon using
primary and secondary data, qualitative and quantitative methods as tools to analyse and
interpret the information gathered. The paper uses multidisciplinary approach from historical
and political sociology, peace and conflict, political sciences and theory and practice of
diplomacy and international relations. We identified four epochs in four dimensions to elucidate
the contribution of women in Cameron’s peace processes from the three regions (one French
speaking, two English speaking). This historical timescale may be described as the colonial
epoch, post-independent reunification epoch, post-cold war epoch and globalization and
reunification crisis epoch.
These four dimensional approach punctuates an evolutionary model and shift in behavioural
pattern of responsibility and obligation from the women folk. The first phase of the women’s
contribution to peace is personal through cultural and traditional family responsibilities, the
second phase is through educational advocacy which led to the third phase of women with
political obligation and responsibility and the current phase of consolidated leadership in peace
crusade in Cameroon all mapping the country’s history from a personal level at the home,
community and the society at large. This paper therefor argues that the contribution of women
in Cameroons peace processes through the different epochs is in tandem with the shift that has
accompanied the different conceptualisation of peacebuilding (Namibia 1978, Boutrous
Boutrous-Ghali (1992 to 1995 and UNSCR 1325). We conclude that the ineffective
implementation of UNSCR 1325 exposes the need for government to create mechanisms that
meet the strategic plan from the Gender cafes organized at headquarters of the ten regions in
2017 to boast women’s representation, empowerment, participation and training to enhance a
women political culture, confidence and self-esteem and eliminate socio-cultural barriers and
multiple forms of discrimination from men.
Keywords: Women, peace, paradigm, UN, Security Council, resolution, gender,
equality, participation.
Email: dan_ekongwe@yahoo.com

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