Project Bridge : eradicating poverty via small business capital for vulnerable women in Cameroon

According to UN Women, nearly 1 in 3 women have been abused in their lifetime. In times of crises, the numbers raised, as seen during the COVID-19 pandemic and recent humanitarian crises, conflicts and climate disasters. Meanwhile, at the grassroots and marginalized, Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is serious, life-threatening where women and children are the most affected one’s. Moreover, according to the report from the World Health Organization 2016, it shows that this is a widespread international public health issue, that adequate, appropriate, and comprehensive prevention and response are lacking in most countries from Global South.
To validate these findings, in Kenya we have a place known as Mukuru Kwa Njenga which is a slum in the East of Nairobi and belongs to Embakasi South Constituency. The situation is not different from the report of the World Health Organization. Being the second-largest slums in Nairobi, civilian women and children especially girls are often targeted for abuse, sexual exploitation and sometimes being raped. They comprise of the greatest numbers and are the most vulnerable to exploitation, violence, and abuse simply by their gender, age and status in the society which is glued by the patriarchal system of governance.
Have known this place for a while because am a teacher in one of the schools within this informal settlement. In November 2021 our school partnered with a Cameroonian organization “I’m Human Organization” under the theme “My Voice Matters” with the main objective to mentor girls on the importance of breaking silence whenever they face any form of gender-based violence. The launching of this initiative was in line with the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence which was on the 25th of November 2021.

Outcome;
Moreover, During the 16 Days of activism against Gender-Based Violence, we talked mostly to women. The majority agreed that gender-based violence is prevalent in the region but the majority of victims of domestic violence remain quiet because they fear the possible consequences of speaking up, and are afraid of family members and the society since it is still deeply entrenched in the patriarchal culture.
Due to this, we held a series of mentorships, awareness creations and training, now we have noted great resilience because Girls can share their personal stories in which is one of the great steps towards improving the reporting system, seeking help and accessing counselling and safety planning, special care, referrals and survivor’s follow-ups.
With the team, our stand was if women are not healthy and safe, they cannot care for themselves, support their families or contribute to their communities. This was our main motivation factor which fuel and drive us to keep pushing by giving power to these young girls.

Recommendation:
One of the main recommendations is that we need to adopt the concept of Male champions towards challenging and eliminating Gender-Based Violence mainly by identifying and mobilizing local male decision-makers, providing them with training regarding gender-based violence and then linking them with national and international structures so that they can work collaboratively to raise awareness, host household dialogues and report when gender-based violence cases occur.
Also, we need more mentorships, training and awareness creation targeting Boys. We believe, by inspiring these boys they will be in the core front of protecting and supporting fellow sisters from perpetrators of GBV. Also, they will help to report early signs such cases to elders, teachers and responsible people.
With a recent project to tackle GBV in Mukuru, kindly follow this link more information: https://secure.changa.co.ke/myweb/share/53357

Racheal Vichei
Educator, Kenya.