At 5th Anniversary: Women of Virtue Association Prescribed Prayer, Good Character to Sustained Solid Marriage
The Women of Virtue Association Cameroon, abbreviated as WOVAC, celebrated its fifth anniversary in Bafoussam, West Region. The celebration on Saturday, January 10, 2026, marked five years of their advocacy for strong, value-driven marriages and homes rooted in faith, character, and wisdom.
The event, held under the theme “Her Story, Her Voice,” brought together married women from different backgrounds for reflection, learning, and encouragement on the realities of womanhood, marriage, and family life.
The anniversary celebration featured a keynote talk by Asanji Yvette, a relationship, marriage, and family therapist, trained clinical social worker, certified marriage mentor, and relationship coach.
Speaking to the women, the Douala-based guest speaker described her presence at the event as a “rare privilege,” noting that she was among women who already understood their calling as wives and mothers, inspired by the biblical model of the Proverbs 31 woman.
“I did not come to teach them because they already have knowledge,” she said. “I came to encourage them and to remind them that our strength as women is not in physical power or fighting men, but in prayers and character.”
Throughout her address, the trained clinical social worker and family therapist emphasized femininity as a source of strength rather than weakness. She explained that women are called to help their husbands, not compete with them, and that peace in the home is nurtured through softness, wisdom, prayer, and good character.
According to her, many marital conflicts arise when gender roles are confused or contested. “Women propose, they do not impose,” she stressed. “When women stay feminine and men stay masculine, there will be nothing to fight over. Marriages become softer, more beautiful, and they blossom.”
She also addressed the heavy responsibilities borne by women, noting that many women manage up to 80 percent of household responsibilities, including caring for children and supporting their husbands, often while pursuing careers.
While acknowledging these pressures, she urged women not to give room for stress, resentment, or unforgiveness, describing prayer and character as the two most powerful tools a woman can use to influence her home.
“You can never fight a man physically and win,” she said. “But through prayers and character, you can win peace, stability, and sanity. Forgiveness is for your own well-being. Stress and grudges wear you down.”
Asanji further challenged common misconceptions about women, including the belief that men are naturally polygamous in nature, and encouraged couples to grow beyond issues caused by phones, communication gaps, and unmet expectations. She highlighted friendship as the core of marriage and encouraged women to appreciate their husbands consistently, even when appreciation is not reciprocated.
The President of WOVAC, Njong Loveline, a jurist by profession, highlighted another critical issue affecting marriages: relationships between wives and their in-laws. She called on women to exercise emotional and “political” intelligence in managing these relationships.
“Marriage is a commitment that requires wisdom,” she said. “Your in-laws should be seen as part of your family. If you see your mother-in-law as your own mother, you will not perceive her as a problem.”
She cautioned against negative labels often attached to mothers-in-law and reminded women that one day they too will occupy that position. According to her, many marriages fail because women lack a clear understanding of family dynamics and the wisdom required to navigate them.
The anniversary celebration, she explained, was aimed at addressing such gaps and equipping women with tools to build lasting homes.
The Vice President of the association, Ngiah Blandine Foncha, described the gathering as an eye-opening experience for many women. She noted that the theme “Her Story, Her Voice” resonated deeply, as it created a space for women to learn from one another’s challenges and experiences.
“No woman is perfect,” she said. “It is when you attend gatherings like this that you realize other wives face similar challenges, and you learn how to sail through them.”
She reiterated key lessons from the session, including the importance of submission, understanding one’s husband, and knowing when, where, and how to communicate sensitive issues.
For Kah Larissa, Treasurer of WOVAC, the event reinforced the importance of managing stress and embracing spiritual strategies in marriage. “I learned that I should avoid anything that stresses me,” she said. “I cannot fight a man physically; I must fight with prayer and behaviour.”
She also explained that WOVAC is strictly for married women and operates under clearly defined rules and regulations to preserve its values and mission.
Another member, Vanessa Nyani, echoed similar sentiments, stating that character and prayer are the most effective ways to influence a marriage positively. She emphasized dialogue, respect, and giving men their rightful place as decision-makers within the family structure. “You don’t command a man; you dialogue with him,” she said. “Through submissiveness, you control your home without conflict.”
As the Women of Virtue Association Cameroon celebrates five years of existence, members describe the journey as challenging but fulfilling, marked by steady growth and positive impact. The anniversary event in Bafoussam not only celebrated past achievements but also reaffirmed the association’s commitment to shaping godly, peaceful, and resilient homes through prayer, character, and disciplined womanhood.
With renewed resolve, the women left the gathering inspired to apply the lessons learned, confident that their stories and voices, when guided by faith and wisdom, can transform marriages, families, and society at large.
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