Cameroon
Cameroon’s Second National Action Plan covers the years 2023 to 2027. The second NAP builds on the work conducted during the first NAP cycle and cites key lessons from the First-Generation NAP (2018-2020) that it seeks to address in the second NAP’s implementation. These include: the lack of a robust coordination mechanism, the need for a clearer framework for collaboration and oversight, funding challenges, low participation of women in formal processes, and minimal community ownership. The second generation NAP also cites positive steps forward, such as the increased representation of women in political decision-making roles, with more women elected and appointed to leadership positions; and enhanced involvement of CSOs, particularly women-led organizations, in promoting the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda and advocating for gender equality.
Cameroon adopted its first National Action Plan (NAP) in 2017 for the period 2018-2020. The NAP was developed by the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and the Family, with technical and financial support from UN Women and contributions from the public administrations, civil society organisations, and community leaders. The main data for identifying NAP priorities was compiled by WILPF Cameroon, which also played a crucial role in mobilising Women, Peace and Security (WPS) efforts across the country and developing the NAP.
Cameroon gained independence from France in 1960, after an extensive period of colonial rule under the German, British, and French empires. In the current moment, Cameroon experiences political instability as a result of the spillover effects of conflicts in neighboring countries, internal attacks by Boko Haram, and uprisings across the English-speaking areas of the country. This instability has had a disproportionate impact on women and girls, specifically through the increase in gender-based violence as a result of the proliferation of small arms and light weapons.
CEDAW
1994
Global Gender Gap Index 2020
96 out of 153
Arms Trade Treaty Ratified
2014
Military expenditure (2019)
$422 million USD
Explore Cameroon's National Action Plan
Key Governmental Actors:
- Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and the Family (lead coordination role).
- Other key ministries: Defense, Justice, Social Affairs, Public Security.
- Local authorities play a significant role in decentralized implementation.
Civil Society Organizations (CSOs):
- Involved in grassroots mobilization, advocacy, and monitoring efforts.
- Women-led organizations are critical for ensuring women’s perspectives are integrated.
International Partners:
- Funding and technical support provided by multilateral agencies, including the UN, AU, and bilateral donors.
Coordination Mechanisms:
- Implementation is overseen by a multi-sectoral framework to ensure collaboration between stakeholders.
- The National Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration Committee (CNDDR) and the National Commission for the Promotion of Bilingualism and Multiculturalism (CNPBM) are highlighted as specific coordination structures.
The National Action Plan covers the years from 2023 to 2027.
Alignment: Aligns with Vision 2035, the AU Agenda 2063, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Overall Goal:
Specific Objectives:
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Key Activities:
- Establishing gender desks at local levels and in security institutions to address gender-based violence and other needs of women in conflict zones.
- Creating safe spaces for women and girls in conflict and post-conflict settings.
- Training over 300 women leaders in mediation and conflict resolution techniques.
- Conducting public awareness campaigns on gender-based violence, peacebuilding, and gender equality.
- Providing holistic support (psychosocial, legal, medical) to survivors of violence in refugee camps and host communities.
- Strengthening the role of women in formal peace negotiations and disarmament processes.
- Integrating gender sensitivity into national emergency and humanitarian response frameworks.
- Designing and implementing economic empowerment programs for women in post-conflict recovery efforts.
Indicators by Objective: Participation: · Percentage of women in leadership and decision-making roles in peace and security initiatives. · Number of training sessions conducted to empower women as mediators. Prevention: · Number of public awareness campaigns addressing gender-based violence and conflict prevention. · Percentage of gender-responsive mechanisms integrated into humanitarian responses.
Protection: · Number of survivors receiving holistic care (medical, legal, psychosocial). · Improved representation of women in local and national security sectors. Recovery: · Number of women benefiting from economic empowerment programs and safe spaces. · Increased gender mainstreaming in post-conflict recovery policies. |
Framework Features: The monitoring, evaluation, and reporting framework of Cameroon’s Second-Generation NAP ensures transparency, accountability, and participatory implementation. Key features include: Qualitative and Quantitative Focus: Emphasizes behavioral changes, capacity building, and social impacts alongside measurable, gender-disaggregated data. Periodic Reviews: Includes biannual, annual, midterm, and final evaluations to assess progress, efficiency, and sustainability. Lessons learned from the First-Generation NAP are incorporated for continuous improvement. Participatory M&E: Engages local actors, beneficiaries, and regional delegations through field visits, surveys, and stakeholder input to monitor activities and ensure grassroots inclusion. Indicators and Data Collection: Clear, measurable indicators track progress on access to justice, economic recovery, and GBV prevention. Data is stored in a centralized system for real-time updates. Capacity Building: Strengthens local monitoring capacities through training and participatory methods, ensuring long-term sustainability. Collaborative Reporting: Reports are shared with stakeholders (government, CSOs, partners) and include field insights, micro-project evaluations, and financial audits. Advocacy and Awareness: Integrated into the framework to promote behavioral changes and foster an environment supportive of gender equality. |
The NAP emphasizes resource mobilization through a mix of government funding and international partnerships. It also proposes a trust fund for sustainable financing of activities. Partnerships with regional frameworks (AU, UN agencies) are critical to funding specific activities like training and survivor support.
Key Efforts:
- The National Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration Committee (CNDDR) leads efforts to reintegrate ex-combatants, including women.
- Training programs for ex-combatants focus on technical skills like mechanics, agriculture, and tailoring.
- Advocacy for arms control and community security through awareness campaigns.
- Incorporation of gender-specific needs into reintegration programs for women.