Yaounde: Women, youth present peace manifesto to presidential candidates.

The document, described by the women as a Manifesto for Peace and Social Cohesion, was unveiled during a press briefing in Yaounde on Friday, October 3. It followed deliberations at a one-day workshop which held under the theme: “Validation Workshop of the Manifesto of Women and Youth for Peace and Social Cohesion in Cameroon”.

The initiative, the women said, seeks to ensure that peace, unity, and inclusiveness remain central to political campaigns and governance as the country approaches a crucial electoral season.

Addressing the press, the International President of WILPF, Sylvie Jacqueline Ndongmo, emphasised that the manifesto is the outcome of a participatory process that gathered contributions from women and young people across all 10 Regions of Cameroon, as well as from the diaspora.

“The manifesto is rooted in international frameworks such as UN Security Council Resolutions 1325 and 2250, the Maputo Protocol, and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, CEDAW, alongside national legal instruments like Cameroon’s Constitution and its National Action Plans on women, peace, and security,” Ndongmo explained.

Ndongmo further explained the different pillars of the manifesto, noting that it outlines key expectations structured around five pillars. Ndongmo said under the participation pillar, it calls for meaningful representation of women and youth in decision-making, mediation, and governance while the protection pillar emphasizes the establishment of mechanisms against conflict-related violence, including gender-based violence, and the need to guarantee access to justice and health services. 

The prevention pillar, it was revealed, urges investment in education, civic engagement, and tolerance, while combating hate speech, political manipulation, and inter-communal violence. 

The relief and recovery pillar, Ndongmo disclosed, proposes supporting women’s initiatives in community rebuilding and socio-economic reintegration while the equitable resource management aspect advocates fair access to training, funding, and employment while promoting transparency in resource distribution.

“We call on each candidate and political leader to integrate these priorities into their programmes, to recognise and strengthen the place of women and young people in decision-making, and to work with us in building a just, peaceful, and prosperous society,” Ndongmo appealed.

Enter the youth 

The National Coordinator of Young WILPF, Ndongo Zainab, presented the expectations of young people in fostering peace and stability.

“We, young people, raise our voices to contribute to the promotion of social cohesion in our country. It is not only about speaking on behalf of young people, but about creating space for us to express ourselves and participate in peacebuilding,” she stated.

“Our recommendations include greater representation in decision-making bodies, access to quality education and infrastructure, especially in rural areas, economic empowerment and entrepreneurship, social justice and equality of opportunities, digital education to encourage responsible use of social media, and continued involvement in grassroots mediation and awareness campaign,” Ndongo revealed further.

At the end meeting, both women and youth leaders pledged to carry the message of peace into their communities through sensitisation, mediation, and advocacy for non-violence and tolerance. 

The manifesto, they stressed, is not just an appeal to presidential candidates, but also a national commitment to social cohesion and justice.

“We, women and young people of Cameroon, aware of the divisions and violence that weaken our country, unite our voices to affirm our role and commitment to peace, social cohesion, and living together,” they stated in a joint declaration.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3587 of Tuesday October 07, 2025