Cameroonian, Sylvie Ndongmo, re-elected WILPF int’l boss.

The Congress started July 17. The election followed four days of deliberations, debates and strategic planning focused on advancing peace, gender equality and social justice worldwide.

Activists, researchers, policymakers, youth leaders and civil society actors from different regions of the world participated both physically and virtually

The gathering was under the theme: “Intergenerational and Intersectional: Feminist unity to confront global crises”.

Participants used the Congress to assess the organisation’s progress, elect a new leadership team and chart priorities for the next three years amid rising conflicts.

After her re-election, Ndongmo expressed gratitude for the confidence placed in her. She said the new mandate is a responsibility and not a reward.

She acknowledged the challenges the organisation faced during her first term, including difficult decisions and moments of uncertainty. 

She emphasised that WILPF’s resilience had been sustained by the commitment of its members, sections, international secretariat and governing board.

New mandate priorities 

Looking ahead, Ndongmo said priorities for the new mandate will be; strengthening trust within the movement, increasing member engagement across all levels and reinforcing governance structures.

According to Ndongmo, trust remains the foundation of a strong and effective movement and must be nurtured through transparency, accountability and respectful dialogue. 

She also stressed the need to create more opportunities for participation, collaboration and intergenerational exchange among members from different backgrounds and age groups in line with WILPF’s mission.

“Trust strengthens participation. Participation strengthens governance. And together, they strengthen our ability to act as a united global movement for feminist peace,” she said.

Ndongmo drummed a more inclusive and interconnected organization capable of responding effectively to a world increasingly affected by wars, militarism, injustice and multiple humanitarian crises.

She noted that, at a “time when violence too often prevails over dialogue, when military spending continues to rise while human needs remain unmet, and when women’s rights are being challenged in many parts of the world, our voice is needed more than ever”.

Enter WILPF Cameroon president 

The President of WILPF Cameroon, Nathalie Foko, praised delegates and organisers for making the gathering a success despite the logistical and organisational challenges.

She told delegates that the Congress demonstrated the power of feminist solidarity across generations, cultures and geographical boundaries.

“We proved that crises, just like feminist solidarity, have no age, no borders, no colour,” she declared. Foko insisted that delegates left with renewed commitment for the next three years.

The WILPF Cameroon president also paid tribute to the outgoing international board, the various congress committees, the International Secretariat and volunteers who worked behind the scenes for the event.

She extended appreciation to young activists whose participation, Foko said, highlighted the movement’s commitment to intergenerational leadership. 

“You reminded us why we fight and how we must fight: with boldness, creativity and hope. You are the present and the future of our movement,” Foko told the youth delegates.

She also thanked the government, international partners, technical teams and others who supported the Congress.

Foko called on members to transform the resolutions adopted during the gathering into concrete actions capable of improving the lives of communities around the world.

She further urged members to ensure that the Congress theme becomes a practical approach to addressing contemporary challenges.

“May intergenerational and intersectional feminist unity not remain just a congress theme. May it become our working method, every day, in the face of every crisis,” she added.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3855 of Wednesday July 22, 2026