Justice For Harriet

Aware of the urgent need to promote the protection of Human Rights of women and girls, LUKMEF Cameroon with funding from the UN Trust Fund recently carried out a “NEVER AGAIN” awareness campaign during the funeral of Harriet Zohme Atanga, a resident at mile 4 Limbe who was brutally beaten by the husband and she helplessly gave up the ghost two weeks later in the hospital. This incident provoked the attention of LUKMEF Cameroon who launched an immediate campaign against Violence on women and Girls. The campaign which was organized in collaboration with task force to EVAW/G in the South West, started at the Limbe Regional Hospital Mortuary where the mortal remain of the victim was conveyed to Saint John of God Catholic church for a Requiem Mass and later to her family residence at Mile 4 Limbe for last respect by family, friends and well wishers.

The “NEVER AGAIN” campaign was marked by, pasting of posters, distribution of the orange flag (saying no to VAW/G), one on one sensitization talks and a solidarity walk with the Justice for Harriet backdrop from the church to her family residence as a means to stand against all forms of Violence against Women and Girls, and to call the attention of authorities for justice to take its course.

LUKMEF Cameroon through this awareness campaign equally encouraged women and girls to speak out and break the silence when abused while reassuring them of her support. “There are many service providers and all you need to do is to call for attention through the ops4women App and the helplines which have been made available at the service of survivors”. Tanyi Christian, the CEO of LUKMEF said. This activity also gave LUKMEF Cameroon staff an opportunity to explain to inhabitants of the mile 4 locality some steps in accessing the mobile app (ops4women) and the helpline where survivors can report cases of violence as well as talk to experts. The campaign recorded a lot of success as it reached out to more than 2000 inhabitants of mile 4 Limbe with hopes to intensify campaigns against GBV in other neighborhoods of the town.(women were able to walk up to staff and share their problems)

Nankeng Ndungla Marita