Human Rights
& Governance
TOWARDS PEACE.
The Human Rights and Governance Department’s key focus is on rights advocacy for women and children, peace building and mediation, activism against gender-based violence using conflict sensitive and survivor centered approaches, protection and the rule of law. The department also emphasizes on organizational capacity strengthening and support for local governance and regional and local authorities. Youth empowerment and engagement in civic responsibility while promoting positive masculinities and human rights monitoring.
Rights Advocacy
We are the voice to the voiceless. We advocate for the rights of underprivileged persons and minority. We engage in disability inclusion. We join positive courses and join activism to justice for survivors and victims of human rights violation. We record, keep track and report all incidences of human rights violations.
The multiple crises in Cameroon and around the world have compelled us to take relentless actions for peace. The Boko Haram Insurgency, crisis in the East and the ongoing armed conflict in the North West and South West Regions of Cameroon have led to violence extremism, hate speech, defamation and insecurity. As a means to an end, Reach Out Cameroon, has joined and created peace building coalitions/networks, organised peace building forums, mediating for peaceful cohabitation, engage women in peace building ( promoting the Women, Peace and Security Agenda-WPS) and localising UNSCR 1325.
Peacebuilding and Mediation
Fighting Gender-Based Violence (GBV)
The prevalence of armed conflicts and crises has led to the rise in cases of Gender Based Violence. To curb the occurrence, survivors are offered psychosocial support, legal assistance, clinical management of rape services, mass sensitisation about GBV, referral pathways and safe spaces for survivors of GBV.
"Children are the seeds of tomorrow, nurture them well"
Making the world a better place for children is our earnest desire. For separated, unaccompanied, orphaned, conflict affected and internally displaced children, we offer education, assign children to foster parents, reunite children with their families, create safe spaces for children, assist in providing birth certificates for children.
Child Protection and the Rule of Law.
Building Resilient Communities and Strong Institutions
We help communities develop positive attitudes and take action against violence and extremist behaviours.We build and strengthen capacities of institutions and Organisations for better productivity. We participate and assist in policy formation and creation of networks. We work with religious and traditional institutions to promote social justice.
"Leaving no one behind"
In the quest for gender equality, we see men and boys as part of the solution. Given their status as important stakeholders in attaining gender equality, we work with them to promote women's rights. We engage in promoting positive masculinities, feminist transformative leadership. We hold men and boys, women and society accountable for the promotion of gender equality.
Engaging Men and Boys for Gender Equality
Nkongo Christy
GBV Case / Project Manager
"The love for my community inspires me to work towards peace, resilience and development."
Merolyn Yong Yafe
Head of Department
"We must fight for a course for which we believe and give it our best"
Aaron A. Amabo
Human Rights Monitor
"When there's someone to take a positive lead, there will always be people to follow, take the lead."
PROJECTS.
Peace Tables: Promoting WPS through a Culture of Peace and Social Cohesion in Cameroon
Improving participation in peacebuilding initiatives at community, regional and national levels of grassroots women and young adult women from 40 conflict-affected communities of the North-West, South-West, Littoral, and West Regions of Cameroon.
Core Activities
-Community Peace hubs
-Mobile Peace and Protection Clinics
-Peace House
Global Affairs Canada
Ongoing Project
Men Engaged: Transforming Mindsets Against Toxic Masculinities and Building Community-Based Champions for Women's SRHR
Reducing the incidence and prevalence of Gender Based Violence and Increase the uptake of Women's Sexual Reproductive Health rights by at least 25% across a minimum of 40 communities in the Northwest, Southwest, Littoral and West Regions by the year 2025
Amplify Change
Ongoing Project
Enhancing Youth Initiatives for Peace
The Anglophone crisis resulted in an increase in the rate of school dropouts, rate of unwanted pregnancies amongst school children, school violence, and juvenile delinquency.
Together with secondary schools in Buea Municipality, we are improving social cohesion and mental wellness amongst students aged 12-21 years who are serving as youth peace advocates.
ICAN
01/04/2022 - 31/12/2022
Education for Orphans and IDPs
This project supports Child Protection and is done by helping outstanding orphanages and spaces for children (IDPs and orphans) operating in conflict-affected areas.
Children living with trauma will benefit specialized education and cover the knowledge gaps.
Global Giving Platform
Ongoing Project
Strengthening Networks of Cultural and Development Associations
This project built the capacities of 650 members of 08 Cultural and Development associations originating from the Northwest and Southwest Regions of Cameroon on Peace building and social cohesion techniques.
French Ministry for Europe Foreign Affairs
01/09/2021 - 30/04/2022
Local Governance and Infrastructure Management
Supporting Idenau, Limbe III, and Tiko Councils in the South-West Region in the identification and implementation of participatory and inclusive mechanisms in local governance and infrastructure management in partnership with the GIZ.
German Development Agency (GIZ)
12/2021 - 03/2023
Family Planning & Health Support for Resilience
The project provides psychosocial support (PSS), GBV and trauma healing services to Internal Displaced Persons from Muea and Ekona. The goal is to identify IDPs in need of psychosocial support through door-to-door sensitization and identification by our trained community health workers and referral for further counselling at our community safe space in Muea by a case manager. Extremely traumatic cases are referred to the mental health specialist for further PSS and psychotherapy.
GIZ - GOPA
Protection of Vulnerable Groups in Conflict-Affected Areas
This project contributes to the reduction of vulnerabilities and risks for susceptible groups and reinforce community resilience and response to violence against vulnerable populations in the Anglophone regions of Cameroon.
European Union
01/09/2020 - 30/08/2022
Women-Led Community Driven Action for the Promotion of Human Rights
Due to reports of gross human rights violations, the design of the project is intended to improve the significant role of women in peace and conflict resolution as adopted in the United Nations Security Council Resolution (S/RES/1325). The aim of the project is to strengthen the capacities of local women peacebuilders and human rights defenders and support them to reduce human rights violations in their communities.
The Federal Republic of Germany
01/04/2022 - 30/11/2022
Emergency Protection Response
The Emergency Protection project has objectives to provide emergency support to vulnerable and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) affected by the Anglophone crisis. This in the form of health services (through payment of hospital bills), livelihood and economic empowerment (by providing startup capital for businesses), provides accommodation to homeless IDPs and food/therapeutic food items for IDPs suffering from acute malnutrition.
Global Giving Platform
Ongoing Project
Accountability to Achieve SDGs: Human Rights & Gender Justice Approach
This project aims at strengthening the capacity of Men Engage Cameroon to collectively as a network and individually as members engage men and boys to be champions of gender justice, gender equality and human rights in Cameroon.
Sonke Gender Justice / MenEngage
2021 - 2023