Women’s rights advocate and peacebuilder Dr Omam Esther Njomo has been honoured with the Peace Builder Award 2026 for her contribution to peacebuilding, humanitarian work and the empowerment of vulnerable communities in Cameroon.
The award was presented to Dr Omam during the National Conference of Women-Led Organisations in Cameroon 2026, organised by the Network of Women-Led Organisations in Cameroon (NEWOLEC).
Although she was unable to attend the award ceremony due to circumstances beyond her control, Dr Solange Swiri Tumasang personally visited her at the Hilton Hotel to present her with the award.
In a message following the recognition, Dr Omam expressed gratitude to NEWOLEC, the organisers, the jury and those who voted for her.
She said she received the award with humility and a renewed sense of responsibility, describing it as recognition of the efforts of many people who continue to work for peace and humanitarian action in Cameroon.
“The journey towards peace is not always easy,” she said, noting that peacebuilding often requires sacrifice, difficult choices, resilience and facing challenges that may not always be seen.
For Dr Omam, every life restored, woman empowered, child protected and dialogue that creates hope is a reason to continue working for peace.
She stressed that the award does not belong to her alone, but also to her family, women, young people, peacebuilders, partners and communities who continue to believe that peace is possible in Cameroon.
Dr Omam also used the occasion to reflect on the work of Reach Out Cameroon, where she serves as a leading humanitarian and peacebuilding figure.
According to her, the organisation supported more than 2.845 million people with hope, care and dignity in one year before its activities were suspended.
“Though our ability to continue this work has been interrupted, you remain deeply in our hearts,” she said in a message directed at the people reached by the organisation's programmes.
She maintained that the impact of compassion, service and solidarity cannot be erased, saying the lives touched by humanitarian and peacebuilding efforts remain a lasting reminder that humanity must come first.
The Peace Builder Award comes at a time when women-led organisations and peacebuilders continue to play an important role in responding to humanitarian challenges and promoting dialogue in Cameroon.
Dr Omam said the recognition has strengthened her commitment to continue serving with courage, compassion and hope.
She dedicated the award to all those working towards a more peaceful and dignified future for communities across Cameroon.
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