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Advocacy for the 2025 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence in Yaoundé......

RWASJ Takes the Stage at CRTV: National Advocacy for Digital Safety Launches 16 Days of Activism

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RWASJ Takes the Stage at CRTV: National Advocacy for Digital Safety Launches 16 Days of Activism

On Tuesday, November 25, 2025—the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women; Rural Women’s Action for Sustainability and Justice (RWASJ) made a powerful debut on national television.

Broadcasting live from CRTV Mballa 2 in Yaoundé, our Humanitarian Coordinator and Youth Focal Point joined CRTV’s presenters to kick off the 2025 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. This high-profile engagement brought the global theme UNiTE! End Digital Violence Against Women and Girls; to the forefront of national conversation.

Breaking the Silence on Digital Abuse

During the live segment, our team shared critical insights into the rising threat of digital GBV and presented RWASJ’s milestones in promoting digital safety. The session was more than just a presentation; it was a call to action. We addressed:

  • The Mission of RWASJ: Introducing our work in rural communities to a national audience.
  • Milestones in Safety: Highlighting our progress in protecting women and girls from online harassment and cyber-threats.
  • Community Prevention: Strategies for local leaders to respond to digital violence effectively.

The response was immediate and overwhelming. Following the broadcast, our hotlines received numerous calls from across the country, with individuals and potential partners eager to join our “strong foundation of change”.

Advocacy for the 2025 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence in Yaoundé......
Advocacy for the 2025 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence in Yaoundé...
Advocacy for the 2025 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence in Yaoundé..
Advocacy for the 2025 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence in Yaoundé.
Launch of the 2025 16 Days Activism Against Gender Based Violence in Yaoundé

Orange the World: RWASJ and D&C Foundation Launch 16 Days of Activism at Olembe Stadium

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Orange the World: RWASJ and D&C Foundation Launch 16 Days of Activism at Olembe Stadium

On Saturday, November 22, 2025, the Olembe Stadium in Yaoundé was transformed into a sea of orange. RWASJ, in a strategic partnership with the D&C Foundation, proudly launched the 2025 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.

This year’s campaign is more urgent than ever, centered on the global theme: “UNiTE! End Digital Violence Against Women and Girls.” As technology becomes a larger part of our daily lives, RWASJ is leading the charge to ensure that digital spaces remain safe, inclusive, and empowering for every woman.

Unity in Motion: A Day of Action

The launch brought together 55 participants—men and women alike—who committed eight hours to high-impact advocacy and physical solidarity. The day included:

  • A Peace Walk: Moving as one to signal a community-wide rejection of violence.
  • Collective Body Exercises: Symbolizing the strength and resilience of the human spirit in the face of trauma.
  • Focus Group Discussions: Diving deep into the root causes of violence and brainstorming local strategies for prevention and response.
  • Message Advocacy: Distributing “Orange the World” T-shirts that carry powerful reminders that safety is a human right, not a privilege.

Our 2025 Objectives

The Yaoundé launch serves as our blueprint for the year, focusing on four key pillars:

  1. Awareness: Exposing the devastating impact of GBV on our communities.
  2. Mobilization: Moving beyond talk to active resistance against all forms of violence.
  3. Safe Spaces: Encouraging dialogue on survivor support and digital accountability.
  4. Solidarity: Aligning with the global UN vision for a “brighter, orange future”.
Launch of the 2025 16 Days Activism Against Gender Based Violence in Yaoundé
Two Days Training On “Strengthening Safety and Security for Humanitarian Workers” Organized by Community Agriculture and Environmental Protection Association (CAEPA)....

Safety First: RWASJ Strengthens Humanitarian Security Standards in Bamenda

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Safety First: RWASJ Strengthens Humanitarian Security Standards in Bamenda

In an era of increasing complexity for aid work in the North West Region, RWASJ is taking proactive steps to ensure our team can deliver justice and sustainability safely. From November 20–21, 2025, RWASJ delegates joined a specialized two-day training titled “Strengthening Safety and Security for Humanitarian Workers,” organized by the Community Agriculture and Environmental Protection Association (CAEPA).

The workshop addressed a critical gap in the local civil society sector: the transition from verbal security understandings to documented, standard operating procedures.

Equipping the Frontlines

The intensive program covered high-stakes topics essential for field operations in challenging environments:

Hostile Environment Awareness Training (HEAT): Preparing staff for real-world scenarios including armed conflict and checkpoints.

Risk Mitigation:

  • Developing SMART action plans to assess and navigate threats before they arise.
  • Emergency Response: Mastering first aid, trauma care, and rapid communication protocols.
  • Information Security: Safeguarding sensitive data against cyber threats in a digital age.

A Commitment to Inclusive Security

A core takeaway from the training was the necessity of gender inclusion in security planning. At RWASJ, we recognize that women-led organizations face unique risks. By the end of the sessions, our team committed to implementing a formal Safety and Security Policy that accounts for the specific needs of all personnel, ensuring our field operations remain both effective and resilient.

Two Days Training On “Strengthening Safety and Security for Humanitarian Workers” Organized by Community Agriculture and Environmental Protection Association (CAEPA)....
Two Days Training On “Strengthening Safety and Security for Humanitarian Workers” Organized by Community Agriculture and Environmental Protection Association (CAEPA) ..
Two Days Training On “Strengthening Safety and Security for Humanitarian Workers” Organized by Community Agriculture and Environmental Protection Association (CAEPA).
Two Days Training On “Strengthening Safety and Security for Humanitarian Workers” Organized by Community Agriculture and Environmental Protection Association (CAEPA)
The Execution of the High Intensity Labour Approach (Hila) Project Sponsored by the North West Regional Assembly 04

Environmental Sustainability and community maintenance (Action Against Climate Change)

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Environmental Sustainability and community maintenance (Action Against Climate Change)

Planting environmental friendly trees 🌴 as long-term action to address issues relating to climate change. For project ownership, Youths were mobilized to actively engaged in the tree planting and community maintenance activity. Development is only sustainable when it respects the environment. Following the successful road rehabilitation in Balinyonga, Rural Women Action for Sustainability and Justice (RWASJ), in collaboration with GRACARO, officially launched a major tree-planting initiative under the HILA Project sponsored by the North West Regional Assembly.

Recognizing that deforestation and soil erosion pose a constant threat to our infrastructure, we have moved to secure the future of the Paila-Njenka Kunda road. Over the past week, local youths from Balinyonga have been working tirelessly to plant ornamental trees along a 2km stretch leading to the main market square.

Why Ornamental Trees?

While the primary goal is to forestall land degradation and mitigate soil erosion, these trees serve a greater purpose:

  • Environmental Health: Mitigating carbon and enhancing local air quality.
  • Beautification: Transforming the roadway into a fascinating and welcoming space for residents and visitors.
  • Soil Stability: Deep-rooted species help keep the road intact, especially during the challenging rainy seasons.

A Community Commitment

Sustainability requires care. During the launch, our team sensitized local youths on proper tree care and growth monitoring. To ensure these saplings thrive through the current dry season, a dedicated Monitoring Team was established by the local population and RWASJ representatives.

This project proves that with the right partnership, we can build roads that aren’t just functional, but beautiful and resilient.

The Execution of the High Intensity Labour Approach (Hila) Project Sponsored by the North West Regional Assembly 02
The Execution of the High Intensity Labour Approach (Hila) Project Sponsored by the North West Regional Assembly 03
The Execution of the High Intensity Labour Approach (Hila) Project Sponsored by the North West Regional Assembly 04
The Execution of the High Intensity Labour Approach (Hila) Project Sponsored by the North West Regional Assembly
The HILA Project – Youths and Rural Women’s Labor, Community Prosperity

Paving the Way for Prosperity: RWASJ and GRACARO Lead HILA Road Project in Balinyonga

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Paving the Way for Prosperity: RWASJ and GRACARO Lead HILA Road Project in Balinyonga

In the heart of Balinyonga, the Kundu Quarter has long been a strategic gateway for trade and residency. However, deteriorating road conditions recently turned this 2km stretch into a barrier for local businesses and families.

Today, that narrative is changing. In a powerful collaboration with GRACARO, RWASJ has successfully spearheaded the rehabilitation of the Kundu-Market road. This initiative was made possible through the High Intensity Labor Approach (HILA); a peace and development project sponsored by the North West Regional Assembly.

Community-Led, Community-Owned

What makes this project unique is the “Labor-Intensive” model. Rather than relying solely on heavy machinery, the work was driven by the hands of local women and youths from the Kundu Quarter. Under the supervision of the RWASJ and GRACARO teams, these community members were actively engaged in:

  • Filling and leveling road surfaces.
  • Creating and maintaining vital drainage systems.
  • Clearing and repairing local bridges.

Beyond Construction: An Economic Boost

This isn’t just about red earth and stones; it is about mobility. By restoring access to the main market square, we are directly boosting the local economy. For the women of Balinyonga, a better road means safer, faster access to sell their produce and grow their businesses.

“This initiative is not just constructing a road; it is paving the way for economic empowerment and community peace”.

The HILA Project – Youths and Rural Women’s Labor, Community Prosperity
The HILA Project – Youths and Rural Women’s Labor, Community Prosperity 04
The HILA Project – Youths and Rural Women’s Labor, Community Prosperity 01
The HILA Project – Youths and Rural Women’s Labor, Community Prosperity 02
North West Regional Assembly Supports HILA and brings together RWASJ & GRACARO Present. High Impact for High Hopes.

High Impact for High Hopes: Launching the HILA Peace & Development Initiative in Balinyonga

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High Impact for High Hopes: Launching the HILA Peace & Development Initiative in Balinyonga

On November 9, 2025, a new chapter of community-led growth began in Balinyonga. Rural Women Action for Sustainability and Justice (RWASJ), in collaborative partnership with GRACARO and with the strategic sponsorship of the North West Regional Assembly (NWRA), officially launched the High Intensity Labor Approach (HILA) project.

This initiative is a cornerstone of the Mezam Peace Development Initiative (PDI), a regional program designed to foster social cohesion and economic resilience through decentralized, community-driven activities.

Building Bridges, Planting Hope

The project focuses on two high-impact components designed to transform the daily lives of Balinyonga residents:

  1. Infrastructural Upgrade: The rehabilitation of the Paila-Njenka Kundu Quarter road. By improving this vital artery, we are restoring mobility for residents and ensuring that local businesses have reliable access to the market.
  2. Environmental Stewardship: A green legacy project involving the planting of ornamental trees along the scenic stretch from Njenka to the Balinyonga market square. This not only beautifies the community but protects the newly rehabilitated road from soil erosion and land degradation.

Why HILA Matters

The HILA approach is more than just construction; it is a philosophy of “U na Mi, Mi na U” (I am you, you are me). By prioritizing human labor over heavy machinery, the project achieves three critical goals:

  • Economic Empowerment: It creates immediate jobs for local youth and women, ensuring that development funds circulate directly within the Balinyonga economy.
  • Sustainable Peace: By engaging youth in meaningful community service, the project promotes social cohesion and provides a positive alternative to violence.
  • Grassroots Ownership: When a community builds its own roads and plants its own trees, they are more likely to protect and maintain them for generations to come.

“This project is a testament to RWASJ’s belief in sustainable grassroots change. It aligns perfectly with our mission to reduce poverty and vulnerability among rural women by putting them at the center of development”.

North West Regional Assembly Supports HILA and brings together RWASJ & GRACARO Present. High Impact for High Hopes.
Muyang Happiness Tangia..

Changing the Narrative: Happiness Tangia Finds Her Voice

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Changing the Narrative: Happiness Tangia Finds Her Voice

“When I was lost and frustrated… RWASJ changed my perspective on life”

We are proud to share the story of Muyang Happiness Tangia, a participant in our recent Bamenda capacity-building workshop. Happiness came to us during a time of great personal struggle and violation, seeking stability and a way forward.

Through our sessions on resisting Gender-Based Violence, Happiness found the strength to speak out. But the support didn’t stop at the workshop. We are thrilled to share that Happiness has now found a stable shelter and a community that stands behind her.

Happiness’s Takeaway:

  • The Lesson: Never stay silent against GBV.
  • The Result: A life of stability and a heart full of hope.
  • The Future: A changed narrative and a settled life.

Happiness’s story reminds us why we do what we do. No woman should have to move from place to place in fear. Together, we are creating a world of sustainability and justice.

Muyang Happiness Tangia..
Takem Maureen Anam.

Skills for Life: Maureen Anam’s Transformative Experience with RWASJ

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Skills for Life: Maureen Anam’s Transformative Experience with RWASJ

What happens when you combine an IRIC education with grassroots empowerment? You get a leader like Takem Maureen Anam.

Maureen joined us for our 40th International Women’s Day project initiation workshop, where she mastered the art of liquid soap production. For Maureen, this wasn’t just a craft; it was an economic empowerment strategy.

As a teacher, Maureen knows that poverty is often at the root of GBV and human trafficking. By providing women with self-sufficiency skills, RWASJ is helping them “actively engage in the challenging fight against violence of all types.

We are honoured to have Maureen in our network, bridging the gap between classroom theory and community transformation.

“RWASJ opened my eyes…” and together, we are opening doors for thousands more.

Takem Maureen Anam.
Ngonga Linda.

Skills for Sustainability: Celebrating International Women’s Day with Action and Advocacy

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Skills for Sustainability: Celebrating International Women’s Day with Action and Advocacy

This International Women’s Day, RWASJ brought together women from across our communities to celebrate more than just a date on the calendar, we celebrated our collective power to create change. Gonga Linda, one of our dedicated participants, shares a powerful reflection on an event that combined vital education with practical skills for self-sufficiency.

“This gathering was an essential platform for addressing the critical issues that affect us daily” Linda says, noting the deep impact of our sessions on human trafficking, gender-based violence (GBV), and women’s health. Our expert facilitators fostered a safe, empowering environment where rural women felt heard and equipped to advocate for their peers.

A standout moment of the celebration was our hands-on workshop on liquid soap production. More than just a lesson in hygiene, this initiative was a symbol of our commitment to sustainability. By learning to produce our own resources, we move one step closer to economic independence.

As Linda puts it: “Together we are stronger, and I am proud to be part of this transformative journey”. This event is just the beginning of our 2025 calendar of activities. Stay tuned as we continue to rise, work, and lead for justice!

Ngonga Linda.
Ngonjoh Melvis Ngwachi.

Empowerment in Action: Melvis Ngwachi’s Journey with RWASJ

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Empowerment in Action: Melvis Ngwachi’s Journey with RWASJ

How does one conference change a life? Ask Ngonjoh Melvis Ngwachi.

Since attending the RWASJ conference at the Bamenda Regional House of Assembly last March, Melvis has transformed from a survivor into a community advocate. As a student leader at the University of Bamenda (ENSET), she is using her voice to protect student rights and advocate for the vulnerable.

Coming from the Bambalang tribe, Melvis saw firsthand the impact of Gender-Based Violence. Today, she uses her own story of healing—mentored by RWASJ—to encourage other young girls to speak out and seek justice.

We celebrate Melvis for her courage and her service as a Female Officer for student rights. Together, we are ending the silence around GBV and fostering a sustainable, just future for every rural woman and girl in the North West Region.

Ngonjoh Melvis Ngwachi.
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