Stop GBV Now: "My Life Has Changed"-Survivor

Items displayed by one of the beneficiaries

Glory is a Gender-based Violence survivor. She recounts her ordeal concerning GBV. First, she was forced into marriage. Second, she was raped, and finally, her house was set ablaze and she received first-degree burns on her back. "I thought I had no life to live anymore." Glory adds while in tears. 

Meanwhile, Nkumu Fed Fed, an international Non-Governmental Organization ( NGO) fighting for the Rights of women and victims of GBV has come to the aid of Glory. "I have another reason to live, not only to live but to live happily. My story has changed." Glory expresses joy as Nkumu Fed Fed comes to her rescue. She is one of the 50 adult survivors of GBV who recently graduated from a two-month training course organized by the NGO. This training is part of a two-year project sponsored by the European Union with the theme: "Stop Violence Now Against Women and Girls."

GBV Survivors posed with their graduation certificates accompanied by the Nkumu Fed Fed team and guests

"To start my story, I grow up in a type of family where I was forced into marriage immediately after I completed class seven (7) against my wish of continuing with my education. While in that marriage, I was raped on my way back from the farm by a masked individual who attacked me.  When the Anglophone crisis started, my house was set ablaze. That's not enough, I found myself among protesters in Bamenda when I came to buy, unfortunately, I was poured petrol and fire ignited on me. I thought my world has ended but God sent Nkumu Fed Fed women who supported me and my household. Nkumu Fed Fed came to my rescue and today, I have another reason to live, not only to live but live a happy life. My story has changed". She narrates.

Her bitter but sweet story today is similar to the one's rest of the 49 women survivors of Gender Based Violence, who went through the business management program that ended with the award of certificates, and insertion tools in trades like a shoemaker, tailoring, beautician, documentation services, hairdressing, catering, poultry farming amongst other trades of their interest. 

Items Purchased for Poultry Farmers

"My name is Nicoline and I am so happy today as a woman. I was empowered to help my daughter who has hearing and talking impairment. I am special in shoe designing and I have decided to name the business 'Heritage'. This is because, when a tired, it will continue. I will gain children who will be managing the business. I have suffered since my house was set ablaze as a result of this crisis. Living was hell on us with the children as even having something to cook was a problem but our lives have changed. I Am filled with joy and I want to thank Nkumu Fed Fed for standing behind women like us", she said.

Representative of MINPROFF handing a certificate of participation to one of the beneficiaries

Items handed to hairdressers

The President General of the NGO, Mrs. Eunice Tita who doubles as the project manager explains that the project in its entirety has a total of 250 survivors to be empowered with 150 youth. As for her expectations from the beneficiaries, Mrs. Eunice Tita said the beneficiaries who now know business management will from the business take care of the families and should rely on other people.

Mrs. Eunice Tita Tata, PG of. Nkumu Fed Fed having a one-on-one chat with one of the beneficiaries

 The peculiarity of the projects is the empowerment of the 50 beneficiaries with start-up kits worth hundreds of thousands each which kept the representatives of Women Empowerment and the Family delegation, Social Affairs, National Employment Fund, and the Divisional officer for Bamenda II and partner NGOs like Medicin Du Monde Swiss exceptional happy with the projects that will wipe tears in eyes of many women in conflict-hit North West Region.

By Neba Jerome