Bamenda, Cameroon - The North West Women's Mediators Summit 2026 officially opened on June 4th, 2026, with a fervent call for stronger collaboration and concrete actions to advance women's participation in peacebuilding processes across the region. The summit brings together stakeholders to address the critical role of women in promoting peace and stability in the crisis-hit North West Region.
Rev. Asenek Cynthia, pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon, emphasized the importance of women's involvement in peacebuilding, highlighting the dangers of ignoring God in their endeavors. Wirba Hassan, North West Regional Delegate of Women's Empowerment and the Family, echoed this sentiment, stressing that sustainable peace requires synergy among government institutions, civil society, community leaders, and grassroots mediators.
Cynthia Wakuna, Program Director of Mother of Hope Cameroon (MOHCAM), outlined the summit's objectives, including launching a Women Mediators Network, promoting the Women, Peace, and Security agenda, and localizing United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 and Cameroon's National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security. "The summit aims to bridge the gap between grassroots peacebuilding efforts and formal policy frameworks," Wakuna said.
MOHCAM Executive Director Adah Atoh Muyang delivered a powerful keynote address, celebrating women's resilience and leadership in peacebuilding. "Women are not only victims of conflict, but agents of change, leaders, mediators, and community peacebuilders," she declared. Atoh Muyang highlighted the disproportionate impact of the crisis on women and girls, who have faced displacement, economic hardship, violence, and trauma.
Atoh Muyang also paid tribute to women working quietly in villages, communities, and organizations across the region. "You are not simply participants in peacebuilding. You are architects of peace, voices of resilience, and the foundation upon which sustainable communities are built," she said.
The summit's first panel discussion, "From Commitment to Action: Localizing UNSCR 1325 and the National Action Plan," focuses on translating global commitments into concrete actions that improve women's participation in peacebuilding and decision-making processes. As the summit gets underway, participants are urged to transform commitment into action, dialogue into impact, and challenges into opportunities.
The summit is expected to produce practical and actionable resolutions, including the launch of a Women Mediators Network, to influence efforts within communities and improve the participation of women in decision-making, conflict prevention, and mediation processes throughout the North West Region.
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