The Basics: I designed and coordinated a pilot gender equality initiative to eliminate barriers to female political participation in local and village government. I worked as a peacebuilding intern on behalf of Cameroonian non-governmental organization Global Conscience Initiative using public sensitization, leadership training, and affirmative action initiatives.

Locations: South West Region, Cameroon

Funder: None

Implementing Partners: Village leadership, Lake Site Radio

Timeframe: August 2011 – December 2011

Project Accomplishments:

• I directly mentored and capacity-built 1 village chief on gender equality and women’s political participation.
• I trained 7 village women on gender equality and how to participate in village politics as women.
• I trained 14 members of the village Traditional Council and 13 members of a community organization. on gender equality and women’s political participation.
• I reached about 50 village members with messaging on gender equality.
• I adapted the United Nations model of gender-responsive budgeting to the local village context and trained 14 members of the village Traditional Council on its usage.
• I ran Human Rights Hour, a weekly radio show on human rights and access to justice, reaching villages across the South West Region of Cameroon. I regularly integrated gender equality messaging into my shows.
• At the end of the initiative, the village chief and I brought 3 women onto the previously-male dominated Traditional Council. As of January 2015, these women still serve on the council.