Bamenda, like much of Cameroon, faces significant challenges, including gender inequalities and gender-based violence (GBV) that are deeply embedded in socio-traditional and patriarchal norms. The city also grapples with ongoing armed conflict, which has led to a high concentration of internally displaced persons (IDPs) seeking refuge. This influx has contributed to a housing crisis and worsened the already dire economic situation, particularly for women and girls who face limited employment opportunities due to low literacy rates. Additionally, the effects of climate change have triggered an unprecedented food crisis, placing vulnerable populations, especially women and girls, at heightened risk of food poverty and deepening the humanitarian crisis.

One of the most pressing issues in Bamenda is the lack of an effective response system for survivors of gender-based violence. GBV management structures are virtually non-existent, and support services are poorly coordinated and largely unofficial. As a result, survivors often resort to harmful coping mechanisms such as drug abuse or sex work. The absence of emergency support exacerbates the crisis, leading to severe social, economic, legal, and health consequences. Survivors and their loved ones suffer from increased risks of drug dependency, unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortions, suicidal tendencies, preventable deaths, and mental health disorders. The situation has also led to rising numbers of unaccompanied children, out-of-school youth, and girls being recruited into armed groups.

The root causes of this crisis are deeply entrenched gender inequalities that stem from socio-traditional and patriarchal norms. The inadequate regulatory framework regarding GBV has resulted in a lack of support for survivors and a culture of impunity that allows perpetrators to act without consequences. Additionally, the extremely challenging economic environment, both nationally and locally, has led to severe resource shortages, making it difficult to address sexual and gender-based violence effectively. Prolonged socio-political instability, including the armed conflict that continues to plague the region, has further worsened the situation and left many vulnerable individuals without protection or assistance.

Beyond these factors, the intersection of multiple crises—including displacement, economic hardship, and climate-induced food shortages—further amplifies the challenges in Bamenda. Without urgent intervention, the city risks facing an even more severe humanitarian crisis, disproportionately affecting women and girls. The need for comprehensive policies, stronger legal frameworks, and well-coordinated support systems is more critical than ever to ensure that survivors receive the assistance they desperately need and that the cycle of violence and inequality is broken.

• Construct, set up and establish a functional, multipurpose and disability inclusive one-stop support centre for survivors of GBV, including minor survivors, by 2026. The one-stop support centre should be a friendly and safe environment where survivors of GBV can be welcomed. Recruitment of qualified volunteer healthcare providers/counselors to provide mental health support to our beneficiaries will also be carried out.
• Conduct comprehensive training for healthcare providers on disability awareness and inclusive care practices. This is important because we have noticed that some health professionals in our community may be perfectly qualified to provide healthcare to patients but have little to no experience providing such care to patients from disenfranchised groups such as the poor and disabled, hence the emphasis on inclusivity.
• Work with the Bamenda local municipality on the development and adoption of progressive policies against GBV. We have already reached agreement with our local municipality that development of certain policies that affect particularly girls and women will henceforth involve engagement with civil society as part of a mandatory public consultation so that the resultant policies benefit from the input of those they are intended to help.
• Conduct awareness campaigns aimed at reducing stigma against survivors of GBV and improving community support for the fight against GBV. To achieve this we will, inter alia:
• Conduct 6 advocacy campaigns to advocate for legal reforms and enforcement towards the promotion of a gender justice policy and a child protection act in Cameroon by 2028.
• Establish community outreach programs so we can educate the community about sexual and gender-based violence.
• Simplify the process for survivors who are seeking help so that help is easily and readily accessible. To this end we will identify and train reliable and competent community activists from whom survivors of GBV can seek help.

Direct results

• 1 fully functional, multipurpose, and disability-inclusive one-stop support centre for GBV survivors established by 2026.
• 6 advocacy campaigns conducted to promote legal reforms and enforcement by 2028.
• Of the roughly 20 000 survivors of sexual and gender-based violence in Bamenda, we aim for our one-stop support centre to achieve a capacity to assist 10 000 survivors annually by 2028.

Expected impact

• To achieve a 500% increase by 2028 in the number of survivors of GBV in Bamenda who actively seek assistance after suffering sexual and/or gender-based violence.

• Divisional Delegation of Women Empowerment and the Family
• Ministry of Health through the Regional Hospital Bamenda
• Northwest Association of Women with Disabilities

• Nsono Josephine Nwiemalu: Women rights activist, Co-founder, PEARL Foundation, jeomalu@gmail.com
• Beltha Nshamba Epouse Tabah: Chief of Technical Service, Bamenda III Council, belthnshamba@gmail.com
• Catherine Nenna Ncham: Women rights activist, PEARL Foundation, cathyful@yahoo.com
• Lanjo Neindefoh Sidonius: Community activist, PEARL Foundation, tandahfrederick92@yahoo.com