The social integration of LGBTQIA persons in Cameroonian society is a complex and multifaceted issue that requires the attention and support of all members of society. For far too long, LGBTQIA individuals in Cameroon have faced discrimination, stigma, and violence due to their sexual orientation and gender identity. This discrimination is often fueled by deeply ingrained cultural and religious beliefs, as well as a lack of legal protections for LGBTQIA individuals.
However, there are some glimmers of hope for the future. In recent years, there has been a growing movement of LGBTQIA individuals and allies in Cameroon who are working tirelessly to promote acceptance and understanding of sexual and gender minorities. Just like others, Working for our Wellbeing is on the forefront of this movement, providing vital services and support to LGBTQIA individuals in Cameroon.
One of the key issues facing LGBTQIA individuals in Cameroon is the lack of legal protections for their rights. Same-sex sexual activity is still criminalized under Cameroonian law, and LGBTQIA individuals are often subject to arbitrary arrest, detention, and harassment by law enforcement officials. This legal discrimination not only violates the basic human rights of LGBTQIA individuals, but also perpetuates a culture of stigma and discrimination that makes it difficult for them to fully participate in society.
In order to promote the social integration of LGBTQIA persons in Cameroonian society, it is essential to address these legal barriers and work towards the establishment of legal protections for LGBTQIA individuals. This will require a sustained effort by civil society organizations, the government, and the international community to promote awareness and understanding of the human rights of LGBTQIA individuals and to advocate for legal reforms that protect their rights.
In addition to legal protections, it is also important to promote greater awareness and understanding of LGBTQIA individuals within Cameroonian society. This can be achieved through community outreach and education programs that promote acceptance and understanding of sexual and gender minorities. These programs can help to break down the cultural and religious barriers that often contribute to discrimination against LGBTQIA individuals and promote a more inclusive and accepting society. Today, WFW is taking the lead and breaking social stigma by providing help and the much needed services to sexual and gender minority person’s in Cameroon.
Working for Our Wellbeing was founded in 2016 and legalized in 2018. The organization was founded out of the need to address important and common challenges faced by sexual and gender minorities in Cameroon, such as Homophobia and the existence of criminal laws against LGBTQIA people including the Cybercrime Act of 2010 and Section 347/1 of the Penal Code criminalizing same-sex sexual relations with prison terms ranging from 6 months to 5 years and heavy fines. As a result, we saw the need to come out and help these persons who were struggling not only with their sexuality, insecurity, and the violent homophobic population but also with the law, which seemed to be a driving factor in advancing gender based violence against sexual and gender minorities in Cameroon and more specifically in the North West, South West, Littoral and West regions of Cameroon.
As an organization, we are committed to upholding equal rights and access to health and social services for sexual and gender minorities in Cameroon. The organization offers a handful of services to community members through its various activities. These services are designed to meet the needs of LGBTQIA people in the community based on location and common challenges they face based on their perceived or actual sexual orientation and/or identity. One of our main areas of intervention includes psychological support, we also provide legal assistance, defend LGBTQIA rights, and educate LGBTQIA people about health care and their safety in a hostile environment where criminal laws breed hatred , stigma, exclusion, gender-based violence and homophobia.In addition, we understood the values shared by the community and the common challenges they face, ranging from safety, discrimination in the workplace, and limited access to health and public services due to stigma, and lack of housing. For this reason, we have decided to set up an emergency shelter in Douala, the largest city in Cameroon, providing residents with vital shelter, food, clothing, medicine, legal assistance, and psychological support. We go so far as to look for ways to empower them through entrepreneurship training and various aspects including the production of locally consumed products such as liquid soap, detergent, pastries, etc. so that they can become self-sufficient and independent when they leave the shelter. We currently have an incredibly long waiting list, particularly due to the Anglophone Crisis in the North West and South West Regions of Cameroon which has caused over 800,000 internally displaced, Boko Haram in the North Region, and various multifaceted crises that have destabilized some regions and gay people still leave the country more vulnerable to homelessness and targeted abuse. Below you will find a detailed summary of our achievements in the services we offer such as accommodation, psychological assistance, legal assistance, advocacy, awareness campaigns, lobbying, etc.
1. Legal assistanceWe play an important role in providing legal assistance to LGBTQIA+ people who have been arrested and detained because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Working for our welfare ensures that the rights of sexual and gender minorities are protected and that they receive fair treatment under the law as full citizens through our legal aid program. We provide legal representation to LGBTQIA+ people arrested and charged with crimes related to their sexual orientation or gender identity.
2. psychological help: Working for Our Wellbeing plays an important role in the psychological support of LGBTQIA+ people who suffer from mental health problems due to their sexual orientation or gender identity. Through our Mental Health Support Program, WFW provides counseling and therapy services to LGBTQIA+ people facing mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, or trauma related to discrimination or violence. The organization also works to raise awareness in the LGBTQIA+ community about mental health issues and promote better access to mental health resources and services.Additionally, our mental health program is specifically designed to help people struggling with self-acceptance, suicidal thoughts, depression, and anxiety. We also offer counseling, therapy, and support groups aimed at addressing LGBTQIA+ mental health issues with the help of a psychologist. However, it is important to note that providing psychological support to LGBTQIA+ people in Cameroon can be difficult due to the hostile social and legal environment towards the community. LGBTQIA+ people in Cameroon face significant discrimination, stigmatization, and harassment against those who are openly LGBTQIA+. Consequently, providing psychological help to LGBTQIA+ people, like us, requires significant resources and support.
3. Refuge: One of the core assets that we hold in high regard and is very crucial is the shelter that we provide. We believe that everyone deserves a home no matter who they identify as. We run shelter and safe spaces that provide housing for LGBTQIA+ people who have been rejected by their families. By providing transitional housing and support services to LGBTQIA+ people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless due to their sexual orientation or gender identity, we assist them through support group programs and training designed to prepare them for entrepreneurship in a way that they can become economically independent when they leave the shelter. The organizations also provide a safe place for LGBTQIA+ people to come together, socialize, and gain support from others in the community who may be facing similar challenges.However, it is important to note that providing shelter and safe spaces for LGBTQIA+ people in Cameroon can be challenging due to the hostile societal and legal environment towards the community. In Cameroon, same-sex sexual activity is criminalized and punishable by imprisonment, and LGBTQIA+ people often face discrimination, harassment, and violence. Despite these challenges, we continue to play an important role in providing support and services to LGBTQIA+ people who may be shunned and discriminated against by their families and communities. These challenges are not just limited to the law and the hostile environment, but also to fundraising to make the safe space work.
4. Sensitization: It is important to note that Cameroon is known for its conservative stance towards the LGBTQIA+ community, with homosexuality viewed as a crime punishable by imprisonment. Despite this, we have worked to raise awareness and advocate for community rights. The organization also engages in advocacy and awareness-raising activities to challenge the societal stigma and discrimination faced by the community. Through our work and activities, we have been able to raise awareness of sexual and gender minority issues, thereby fostering greater acceptance and understanding of the community. This was done by organizing various events and campaigns, including “IDAHOT, Gender and ARTs expression, All Equal but Human and”, traveling to different regions of Cameroon to spread awareness of the community and its rights.
5. Lobbying: In terms of lobbying, we have engaged in advocacy over the years to challenge discriminatory laws and policies and promote greater community acceptance and understanding. One of the main ways we have lobbied is through advocacy campaigns. These campaigns are designed to raise awareness of the challenges facing the community and promote greater understanding and acceptance of LGBTQIA+ people. For example, in 2022, we visited Cameroon’s National Assembly Chamber to garner support as well as a handful of embassies aimed at influencing policy and legislative change. Some of our efforts include working with policymakers and other stakeholders to encourage changes to laws and policies that discriminate against the LGBTQIA+ community. For example, pushing for the repeal of laws criminalizing homosexuality and the introduction of legal protections for LGBTQIA+ people.
6. Prison visits: WFW plays a vital role in visiting LGBTQIA people who have been imprisoned because of their sexuality, and supporting incarcerated LGBTQIA people by providing them with emotional support, legal advice, food, and medical care. We also work to ensure that LGBTQIA people in prison are treated fairly and humanely and that their rights are protected. However, it is important to note that visiting LGBTQIA people detained in Cameroon can also be difficult due to the hostile legal and social environment towards the community. LGBTQIA people imprisoned for their sexuality often experience discrimination, harassment, and violence.
7. Aid for victims of gender-based violence: Existing data collected for the Unity Platform’s 2021 Annual Report on Gender-Based Violence Cases indicates that there are 264 GBV cases recorded in the North West Region of Cameroon with an overall rate of 8.91% and 66 cases in the South Region -western with an overall rate of 2.23%, representing a total of 11.14% of cases of gender-based violence for both regions. LGBTIQ+ people in the North West and South West regions of Cameroon are not only grappling with the current crisis but also with their sexuality, which is still considered a major issue by most people.Most community members in these areas already understand the situation and are doing everything they can to keep calm and hide their sexuality as best they can. We have had cases of arbitrary arrests where the population mercilessly beat anyone suspected of belonging to the LGBTIQ community. We have set up a team to intervene in cases of gender-based violence by providing direct assistance to victims of torture, such as medical assistance, legal assistance, and shelter for their safety. Finally, through our many activities, we have also set up a discussion group for victims of gender-based violence, where we follow them. In summary, the aims and objectives of Working for Our Wellbeing are to provide safety and support to people from sexual and gender minorities in most aspects of their daily lives.
Working for Our Wellbeing 