L’Office National des Anciens Combattants, Anciens Militaires et Victimes de Guerre du Cameroun (ONACAM) a rejoint la communauté internationale le 23 juin 2022 pour célébrer la 12ème édition de la Journée Internationale des Veuves (JIV).

As in previous years, ONACAM was involved in this celebration, in order to offer to the widows of Cameroonian soldiers, a platform of exchange, expression and development; which had for objective to inform, educate and perfect their knowledge in their permanent quest for empowerment and respect of their rights very often scorned by third parties.

On this occasion, open days were organized on June 28 and 29, 2022 at the Maison du Combattant in Yaoundé. During this mini exhibition-sale fair, military widows and orphans opened to the public of Yaoundé, the capital city and its surroundings, to show their creative genius as well as their know-how by presenting their handicrafts and food products from their farms. Through this activity, they showed their firm will to invest more in the empowerment process in place at ONACAM.

The widows were also edified during a round table discussion animated by carefully selected panelists on the theme of this 12th Edition: "Protecting the widow: a collective responsibility". Thus, they were informed of the legal instruments for the protection of their rights. The same is true of the psychological support they can request in case of post-traumatic syndrome. It is in this vein that the Human Rights Commission of Cameroon has made available to them some copies of the "Maputo Protocol on the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights on the Rights of Women and Girls", a legal instrument of reference on which they can draw inspiration each time they have to claim their rights.

The Director General, Colonel Alfred FULLER was delighted with the choice of the theme of this edition because it fits perfectly with the regalian mission of ONACAM which is to watch over the material and moral interests of its members, including military widows, in all circumstances. Like most widows in other African countries, those of Cameroonian soldiers suffer in silence from the effects of moral and physical violence, abuse of all kinds, discrimination and stigmatization. This is why the Office has set up a Working Group of widows through which they present their problems, share their experiences and propose solutions to the hierarchy. To this end, they receive support and training to enable them to take charge of their lives and overcome the difficulties they face on a daily basis.

The closing ceremony, apotheosis of these days, was presided over by Her Excellency Marie Thérèse ABENA ONDOA, Minister for the Promotion of Women and the Family on June 29, 2022 at the Maison du Combattant in Yaoundé.  Several other personalities also took part; among them, the President of the Human Rights Commission of Cameroon, representatives of members of the Diplomatic Corps and representatives of Governmental Organizations, to name a few. The ceremony had its highlights, namely: the welcome address by the Director General, the intervention of the Minister, the visit of the stands, the handing over to the Director General of about twenty copies of the Guide to legal support for widows by the Minister and the family photo.

In his welcoming speech, the Director General thanked on behalf of the widows and in his own name, the Minister for her availability and for the honor she gave to the widows by personally presiding over this ceremony. He welcomed the presence of the representatives of the invited ministerial departments, the President of the Human Rights Commission of Cameroon, private organizations and public structures for their support to the empowerment process of military widows. In closing his speech, he requested the support and assistance of the Minister as well as the accompaniment of governmental structures and organizations in order to encourage the work of completing the promotion of military widows initiated by the Office.

This call for solidarity, a true plea from the Director General, visibly touched the hearts of most of the guests, especially that of the Minister who, in her speech, congratulated the leaders of the Office and especially the Director General for the special attention they give to the emancipation and empowerment of military widows. With reassuring words, she promised to support the Office in this beautiful social work. Concluding her speech, she invited the audience to join her in the train of solidarity and support for widows alongside ONACAM. Thus, she urged the Director General to persevere in the effort and to maintain the course of the liberation of widows and orphans of military from the chains of discrimination and marginalization.

During the visit of the stands, the Minister, visibly satisfied with the achievements of the widows of ONACAM, did not fail to congratulate them. The ceremony was beautiful and colorful; it aroused great interest among the guests and at the same time, marks the beginning of a new era for the widows of Cameroonian soldiers, members of ONACAM.