Women in Bamenda protest against Boko Haram

Thousands of women in the North West regional chief town of Bamenda Monday 13 October 2014 took to the streets in a march to bargain for greater peace, security and health for the entire population of the region as well as raise funds to assist victims of the Boko Haram incursions in the north.

The march captioned “interfaith prayer for unity, security and health; come let’s cry to God for our nation” took place from the Bamenda Hospital Roundabout and the T-Junction, culminating in an ecumenical service at the Bamenda Congress Hall as from 2pm.

The chairperson of the organizing committee of the event, Madam Regina Mundi who doubles as CPDM politbureau member and alternate senator for Mezam has disclosed that the march is apolitical, non partisan and concerns women from all walks of life who are expected to use the occasion to draw attention to some of the most pressing problems facing women in the region.

For these reasons women in all Christian and Muslim churches, women in the informal as well as formal sectors and of all political leanings have all been mobilized to come out massively and make their voices heard on these challenges affecting the region.

The March pass she said culminates in a fundraising to assist victims of the Boko Haram incursions in the northern parts of Cameroon.

According to her, the North West region, which also share boundaries with Nigeria and is also susceptible to Boko Haram attacks, cannot afford to be indifferent when other Cameroonians are suffering in the northern parts of the country.

Thus the money raised will be used to assist the victims while raising awareness amongst the population of the North West region especially the women to be more vigilant by being each other’s keeper in order to stop any possible infiltration by the sect into the region.

The exercise will also highlight the threat the Ebola disease which is wrecking havoc in neighboring West African countries now poses on the population of the North West region. One of the most important aspects of the March pass will is to draw national consciousness to the precarious situation of pregnant women in the North West region.

The march pass is also intended to draw national attention to the fact that the number of women and children dying during birth has reached an unacceptable level.

As such there is an urgent need for a mother and child hospital in the North West region besides the referral hospital which was announced but is not yet under construction.

Independent sources in the organizing committee of the March pass told The Sun that a strong statement on some of these worrying issues will be addressed to the head of state to look into some of these worrying issues. Churches, traditional rulers and civil society actors have all been involved in the march.