Nearly 500 women from across Cameroon have gathered in Yaoundé for a national conference aimed at strengthening women-led organizations and turning their role in peacebuilding, development, and gender justice into concrete action.
The conference was organized by Dr. Solange Swiri Tumassang, Founder and General Coordinator of the Network of Women-Led Civil Society Organizations (NEWOLEC), under the theme "Women-Led Organizations as Catalysts of Peace, Inclusive Development, and Gender Justice.” It was held under the patronage of the Ministry of Women Empowerment and the Family.
Dr. Solange Swiri Tumassang, Founder and Coordinator, NEWOLEC.The August 27 gathering brought together women-led organizations from all eight regions, alongside government representatives, development partners, and other stakeholders. The meeting provided a platform for participants to discuss peacebuilding, women's economic empowerment, gender-based violence prevention, food security, and sustainable agriculture.
A major focus was the need to move beyond workshops and conferences towards measurable community impact.
Dr. Solange Swiri Tumassang and Dr. Omam Esther, Executive Director, Reach Out Cameroon.During a peacebuilding session led by peace advocate Dr. Esther Omam, participants were challenged to consider how many peacebuilding initiatives they had attended and how many had actually produced lasting changes in their communities.
The discussion reinforced the conference's central message that women must not only participate in peacebuilding but also be trusted, protected, and adequately resourced to design and sustain peace initiatives.
Economic empowerment was another key area. A panel led by the Ministry of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises presented opportunities and government support mechanisms for women entrepreneurs, while discussions on gender justice focused on preventing gender-based violence and strengthening advocacy, community mobilization, and survivor support.
Neba Joyce, Representative of UN Women.Representatives of UN Women and the World Food Program also engaged participants on gender equality, food security, sustainable development, funding, and potential partnerships with women-led organizations.
Dr. Tumassang used the gathering to present her Woman Leaders Toolkit, urging women to approach conferences as opportunities to build partnerships, identify resources, promote their organizations, and return home with ideas for action. She also presented her forthcoming book, Be an Authentic Leader: Building the Leader Within, Volume 1.
The conference culminated in the signing of the Yaoundé Declaration 2026, an 11-point framework intended to guide collective action by women-led organizations.
Viban Gladys, Among a Cross Section of Other Women.Four thematic working groups were established to follow up on the commitments in peacebuilding, women's empowerment and entrepreneurship, GBV prevention, and food security and sustainable agriculture. Their work is expected to include advocacy, policy engagement, and community interventions ahead of the next national conference in 2028.
In a surprise moment during the awards ceremony, Dr. Tumassang received a Lifetime Achievement Award for her contribution to women's leadership, empowerment, mentorship, and community transformation.
Dr. Solange Swiri Tumassang, among Other Women During Exibition.The conference also marked four years of NEWOLEC, founded by Dr. Tumassang in 2022 to bring women-led civil society organizations under a common platform for collaboration and collective action.
For the organizers, the real measure of the Yaoundé gathering will be what participants achieve before returning in 2028.
The conference has ended, but the action agenda has only begun.
@Laarry Times
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