By Sera Fomiyam
Youth for Change and Empowerment (YouthFORCE) held a press conference on August 31, 2024, at the Bamenda II Council Hall to present findings from a recent survey on the prevalence of sexual violence and unsafe abortions in the Northwest Region of Cameroon. The event aimed to raise awareness and drive positive change on these critical issues. The press was called upon to play a crucial role in disseminating the findings and sparking conversations necessary to support survivors of sexual violence.
The socio-political crisis in the Northwest and Southwest regions has led to a humanitarian crisis, displacing many young girls who face heightened risks of sexual violence and unsafe abortions. The survey aimed to identify the factors contributing to these challenges, including socioeconomic conditions, displacement, and access to healthcare. Additionally, it examined the relationship between sexual violence and unsafe abortions.
The significance of the research lies in highlighting the urgent need for access to safe and legal abortion services. Unsafe abortions, considered a leading cause of maternal mortality, represent a serious threat to young girls’ health and well-being. YouthFORCE hopes the study will serve as a powerful advocacy tool to push for policy changes and improve service delivery for adolescent girls in Cameroon.
During the press conference, members of GirlFORCE, a YouthFORCE initiative, shared their experiences and recommendations. Tata Afahnyui, one of the members, addressed the stigma survivors face when seeking help. She emphasized that social workers often victimize and stigmatize survivors of sexual violence, which slows down their healing process and leads to mental health issues like depression and anxiety. To combat this, she recommended capacity-strengthening programs for social workers to ensure they uphold confidentiality and offer proper support.
Afahnyui also stressed the need for economic empowerment for girls and young women, suggesting that training programs and workshops be implemented to provide them with the skills needed for financial independence. This, she said, would reduce their vulnerability to exploitation and abuse.
Another GirlFORCE member, Mary Makuchi, called for community engagement in addressing sexual violence. She noted that many bystanders are unsure of how to respond when they witness potential sexual violence. She recommended interactive workshops where community members, especially youths, are trained on how to intervene in such situations. This, she believes, would foster a more collaborative and supportive environment.
Makuchi also addressed the common excuses perpetrators give for their actions, such as alcohol and drug abuse or anger management issues. To address this, she recommended the establishment of therapy and detoxification programs for offenders to help them on their path to rehabilitation and healing.
YouthFORCE founder Theresa Morfaw expressed optimism about the impact of the survey findings and recommendations. In an interview, she highlighted the importance of the media’s involvement in amplifying the voices of survivors and advocates. She hoped that their recommendations would reach key decision-makers across the country, including traditional leaders, parliamentarians, and mayors.
Morfaw stressed that the work of YouthFORCE, along with the input from GirlFORCE, has the potential to influence policies that will better protect adolescent girls from sexual violence and provide them with the support they need to heal and thrive.
With these findings and recommendations, YouthFORCE is calling on stakeholders to prioritize the fight against sexual violence and unsafe abortions, ensuring a safer and more empowered future for young girls in the region.