Cameroon: Breaking the Silence: Empowering women and girls for a safe society

Akem Aurelia Njang, a youth leader from Cameroon’s Northwest region, is helping women and girls break longstanding silence around gender‑based violence through safe spaces, awareness sessions and youth leadership initiatives rooted in community ownership. Akem Aurelia Njang is a youth leader from Cameroon’s Northwest region, an area deeply affected by the Anglophone crisis since 2016. Growing up in Belo, she witnessed abuse among relatives and neighbors, experiences that shaped her commitment to advocating women’s rights, empowerment, and safety. Her work focuses on gender equity, GBV prevention, peace‑building, and community inclusion. 

A baseline survey in 2024 revealed that although most students understood physical violence, fewer recognized emotional, economic, or sexual forms of GBV. Lockdowns and insecurity further worsened the situation, increasing hidden abuses and reducing reporting options. With support from the Women of the South Consortium, Aurelia reached more than 250 women and girls through workshops, community dialogues and youth engagements. These sessions created safe spaces for discussing GBV, decision‑making and leadership, while also mentoring young women to take up leadership roles. 

The community has seen significant change: more girls are speaking up, leadership roles have increased, and GBV cases are being reported more openly. Her team documented over 15 cases across four communities and contributed to the national “Cameroon We Want” declaration. To sustain the change, Aurelia is expanding school clubs, mentoring youth leaders and collaborating with community‑based organizations to embed GBV prevention into local structures. This approach ensures long‑term ownership and replicability of the project. 

Quotes
Ankiambom Sylvie; The activities have really brought change to my life... I never had the courage to talk in public but now I am bold.

Nyah Joyceline Ndum; Through this forum I discovered I was suffering from mental health challenges which I am now getting help for.