The overall aim of the new NAP is to ensure better protection and consideration of the practical needs and strategic interests of women and men in a context of violence and insecurity. It also emphasizes the effective involvement of women and girls in conflict prevention and resolution, peace operations, social cohesion and living together in Cameroon. It is based on five pillars: prevention, participation, protection, relief and recovery, and promotion (new pillar), unlike the first NAP, which was based on the first four pillars.

WILPF Cameroon played an essential role in the elaboration of this second NAP through a study carried out on the analysis of the gender dimension in conflicts in Cameroon. Several regional and national consultations of CSOs were also organized, for their contributions to both the evaluation of the first NAP and the drafting of the second NAP.

It will be recalled that advocacy for the adoption of the very first NAP by the State of Cameroon was led by the organizations WILPF Cameroon and Women’s Peace Initiatives between 2012 and 2014. This work was carried out with the support of UN Women and the United Nations Office for Central Africa (UNOCA) and Peace Women (Women, Peace and Security program) of WILPF.

We add our voice to those of CSOs working for women’s rights, peace and security in Cameroon, in order to call for the implementation of this NAP for the security of women in Cameroon through the fight against GBV; and the strengthening of their involvement in decision-making bodies and the peace process.

Resolution 1325 adopted in 2000 by the United Nations Security Council is the very first instrument on women, peace and security that recognizes the disproportionate impact of armed conflict on women and girls, and urges states to take special measures to ensure their protection by guaranteeing their participation in all peace and decision-making processes. ” A NAP is a document that details the actions and initiatives that a government will undertake within the timeframe of a timetable to meet the obligations contained in UNSC Resolution 1325. ”

The second articulation of this meeting enabled MINPROFF to report on the participation of Cameroonian delegations at the 68ᵉ Women’s Consultative Commission in New York under the theme Accelerating the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls by tackling poverty and strengthening institutions and financing from a gender equality perspective. The official delegation was represented by MINPROFF. Several Cameroonian CSOs also took part, and a number of shared recommendations were made.

UN Women| UNOCA| Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom