Recognition for Change: Mr. Nkwain Hamlet and Team Drive Equality Efforts with The World Bank
Working for Our Wellbeing is thrilled to share a milestone moment: Mr. Nkwain Hamlet, our Executive Director, has been recognized by The World Bank with a Certificate of Appreciation for his critical role in shaping the 2024 Equality of Opportunity Report on Sexual and Gender Minorities (EQOSOGI). This acknowledgment comes at a time when the report’s findings are more vital than ever, highlighting both the struggles and the resilience of sexual and gender minorities across 64 countries.
For Mr. Nkwain and the team, this isn’t just a professional achievement; it’s a testament to years of dedication, courage, and advocacy. “This report reflects the lived realities of people who are often unseen and unheard,” says Mr. Nkwain. “Our hope is that it will not only shed light on the injustices but also serve as a guide for positive change.”
The EQOSOGI Report: Key Findings That Demand Attention
According to the EQOSOGI report, nearly 1.3 billion people live under laws that criminalize same-sex relationships or restrict gender expression. In many regions, sexual and gender minorities face barriers in education, employment, and personal safety—obstacles that stifle growth and development. But the report also shows the flipside: countries with inclusive policies report stronger social cohesion and economic gains. It’s a roadmap for how society can thrive when everyone is given a fair chance.
This work couldn’t have happened in isolation. Pencrace Bebga from the Centre for Research on Peace, Environment and Governance (CREPEG), Larissa Kojoue from the Queer African Youth Network, Achille Kouyep and Aristide Verlain Tchapon from ACHREDHO Cameroun, and Ebeneza Munkam from the Cameroonian Foundation for AIDS (CAMFAIDS) all brought vital perspectives to this project. Our dedicated colleagues at Working for Our Wellbeing—George Lafon, Christian Damas Mintaka, Brice Tchuenguia, and Mr. Nkwain Hamlet—have been tireless in their pursuit of equality and dignity for all.
A Collective Vision for the Future
The team’s work on this project illustrates a larger vision. Every piece of data, every insight, and every story documented in the EQOSOGI report adds to a collective understanding of what equality should look like. And as the findings resonate on the global stage, Working for Our Wellbeing stands firm in its commitment to ensure that these voices continue to shape policies and perceptions.
“This recognition isn’t just ours—it belongs to everyone who shared their story, their data, their time,” Mr. Nkwain reflects. “Together, we’re making the case for a world where diversity is not only accepted but celebrated.”
For those interested in diving deeper into the EQOSOGI report’s powerful insights and in supporting the push for true equality, we invite you to read the full report, now available through The World Bank’s portal.
CALL FOR RECRUITMENT WITHIN THE CHILL PROJECT
We are thrilled to announce a call for recruitment for the implementation of the CHILL Project. Within this context, we are seeking dedicated and compassionate individuals to join our team. A key focus of this project is the operationalization of our new Drop-in Centre, which will provide essential services and support to underserved persons.
NB: We are an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, with particular priority given to qualified women/girls for certain roles.
This is an opportunity to:
- Make a tangible difference in the lives of vulnerable communities in Cameroon.
- Contribute to the success of a dynamic and impactful organization.
- Join a team of passionate and dedicated professionals.
- Gain valuable experience in social development and humanitarian work.
To learn more about the specific roles and responsibilities associated with this project, please read the attached document below.
Applications must be submitted no later than Thursday, 16th October 2024 at Working for our Wellbeing’s Head Office situated at Sable Bonamoussadi or via email.
Tel: 686372376
Email:info@ourwellbeingcameroon.org
Strengthening Human Rights in Cameroon: Nkwain Hamlet, Our Executive Director, at the Heart of the IVLProgram.
We are proud to announce that our Executive Director, Nkwain Hamlet, was selected to participate in the prestigious International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), organized by the U.S. Department of State. This program brings together international leaders, providing them with opportunities to enhance their skills in key areas such as human rights advocacy.
During his time in the United States, Hamlet engaged with experts and explored innovative strategies to combat stigma and discrimination, particularly against sexual and gender minorities in Cameroon. This experience is especially crucial as Cameroon approaches the 2025 elections, a pivotal moment where human rights must be at the forefront of political discussions.
The current environment in Cameroon, marked by increasing challenges for sexual and gender minorities such as stigma, violence, and discrimination calls for coordinated action. Recent events, including regional homophobic movements that have led to violence, have jeopardized the fundamental rights of these citizens. However, the 2025 elections present a unique opportunity to amplify the voices of these communities and advocate for a more inclusive society.
With the skills gained through the IVLP, Hamlet is now better equipped to mobilize and advocate for the rights of sexual and gender minorities, fostering dialogue with political actors and offering concrete recommendations to integrate these rights into electoral platforms. We firmly believe that this mobilization could contribute to a positive shift in the perception and treatment of sexual and gender minorities in Cameroon.
In 2025, it is essential that the voices of minority communities are heard, and thanks to Hamlet’s IVLP experience, Working For Our Wellbeing will continue its commitment to an inclusive future where the human rights of all individuals are respected.
Follow our page to stay updated on our initiatives and the future actions we will take to defend these vital causes.
A Moment of Hope: Brenda Biya’s Coming Out Sparks Debate on LGBTQ+ Rights in Cameroon
The recent public display of affection between Brenda Biya, daughter of Cameroon’s President Paul Biya, and her girlfriend has ignited a wave of debate and hope for LGBTQ+ rights in the nation. The images circulated online during June – internationally recognized as Pride Month – have sparked a crucial conversation about the stark reality of LGBTQ+ existence in a country where same-sex relationships are criminalized.
While many have expressed joy and celebrated Brenda Biya’s courage in coming out, the significance of this event goes far beyond individual expressions of love. The act resonates with a nation grappling with a legal framework that continues to criminalize same-sex relationships under Article 347/1 of the Cameroonian Penal Code, leading to imprisonment and societal discrimination.
Brenda Biya’s public display of affection, coming from a family with significant political power, has prompted questions about the hypocrisy of a system that condemns same-sex relationships while seemingly allowing for such acts within privileged circles.
Prominent Cameroonian Barrister Alice Nkom,
a tireless advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, expressed her joy at the display, yet many, including Nkwain Hamlet, Executive Director of Working for our Wellbeing, questioned the government’s stance. Hamlet poignantly asked, “Will the same liberty and freedom Brenda Biya is enjoying be extended to all LGBTQ+ citizens as he urgently called on the government to start a possible reflection on the process of decriminalization to allow all citizens to be able to enjoy their sexuality within any fear and that the enjoyment of one’s sexuality should not be an issue of privilege.”
This moment has brought to the forefront a deeply rooted issue of inequality and hypocrisy within Cameroon. For years, homosexuality has been used as a tool by political leaders to gather support, often demonizing and criminalizing sexual and gender minority individuals while enjoying the freedoms they deny to others. This blatant disparity has fueled a cycle of fear, marginalization, and discrimination, disproportionately impacting the most vulnerable members of society.
The public response to Brenda Biya’s coming out offers a glimmer of hope. It has forced a necessary conversation, highlighting the urgent need for decriminalization and the protection of all citizens, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Working for Our Wellbeing and Women In Front, who are dedicated to advocating for the rights of all without discrimination has joined the chorus calling for the government to ensure Brenda Biya’s safety and to open a dialogue around this issue, leading to the eventual decriminalization of same-sex relationships through a joint press release.
The time has come for Cameroon to move beyond the archaic laws that criminalize love and embrace a future where all citizens are treated with dignity, respect, and equality. These moment, while potentially fleeting, serves as a potent reminder that change is possible and that the pursuit of a just and inclusive society must be relentless. We stand in solidarity with all Cameroonians, born free and equal in dignity and rights, and we urge the government and all allies to join us in advocating for a Cameroon that welcomes diversity and embraces the fundamental human right to love and be loved without fear or discrimination.
Urgent
The issue of impartiality within the Cameroonian judicial system has been a topic of concern for many years. Our observation regarding the following instances in Limbe can be viewed within a broader context of systemic issues that affect the judiciary system across the country.
Empowering Voices: Transforming Political Engagement for Sexual and Gender Minority Persons in Cameroon By “Getting Everyone In”
Embarking on a journey to empower the voices of Sexual and Gender Minority (SGM) individuals through political engagement, our recent two-day training seminar in the heart of the West Region of Cameroon marked a pivotal leap towards fostering inclusivity and advocacy. Organized in the vibrant city of Bafoussam, supported by the generous funding from the African Regional Democracy Fund via the American Embassy in Cameroon, our project dubbed “My Participation as a Citizen” aimed to transcend the realm of aspiration, transforming the dream of political involvement for marginalized key persons into a tangible, vibrant reality.
In a country where punitive laws, entrenched homophobia, religious biases, and the politicization of Sexual and Gender Minority (SGM) issues have cast a shadow over the participation of SGM communities in the political sphere, our initiative, “Getting Everyone In,” emerged as a beacon of hope and empowerment. Setting the stage for an environment where all citizens, irrespective of their sexual orientation or gender identity, can actively engage in the political process, our project heralded a call for collective action and progressive change.
Amidst the verdant landscapes and spirited conversations in Bafoussam, we gathered a cohort of twenty exceptional community leaders, impassioned activists, and dedicated individuals, infusing them with a transformative toolkit of tools, insights, and strategic approaches. Powered by a vision of peer-to-peer mobilization, our training seminar set out to instill a sense of ownership, agency, and participation in electoral processes among SGM communities.
Our two-day immersion was not merely a training session but a shared journey of empowerment and enlightenment. Collectively, we ventured into the realms of experience sharing, knowledge dissemination, and strategic development, forging a network of focal points primed to steer community members of voting age towards registration and acquisition of voters’ cards. These small yet revolutionary steps paved the way for the realization of fundamental civil rights and political empowerment for every citizen.
The meticulously crafted modules of our seminar delved deep into critical issues, unraveled the intricate political landscape of Cameroon, illuminated the pivotal function of ELECAM as the electoral authority, and underscored the profound significance of active engagement in molding one’s political destiny. Through a tapestry of dialogue, interaction, and collaboration, our participants emerged as torchbearers of change, poised to ignite a wave of civil awakening and democratic empowerment within their communities.
Amidst the bustling urban landscape of Bafoussam, our community leaders, activists, and participants dived into a realm of practical learning and immersive experiences. The culmination of this transformative journey took us beyond the confines of theoretical discourse and into the pulsating heart of political participation itself. A physical and immersive case study led us to the doors of the ELECAM office, where community members, imbued with hope and determination, etched their names onto the Electoral list, marking a significant step towards tangible political engagement.
The palpable joy and sense of accomplishment radiating from the newly registered members encapsulated the essence of empowerment and enfranchisement. Their elation was a testament to the transformative power of political participation, a gateway to claiming one’s rights and raising one’s voice in the democratic process. This exercise not only enhanced the sense of ownership and belonging but also set the stage for continued engagement and collaboration with the ELECAM office, fostering an environment of accessibility and inclusivity for young SGM persons seeking to exercise their civic rights.
The ripple effect of this practical exercise reverberated far beyond the walls of the training venue. Our focal points emerged not only as leaders but as ambassadors of change, equipped with the tools, knowledge, and fervor to carry forth a message of encouragement and empowerment to the younger generation. This generation, buoyed by the sense of purpose and agency instilled during the training, is poised to navigate the political landscape with confidence and conviction, paving the way for a generation of engaged citizens and advocates for change.
The ethos of our training underscores a fundamental truth – the imperative of political representation within the SGM community. As the echoes of empowerment and engagement reverberate through the West Region, we stand united in the belief that “No one can better defend us than ourselves.” This clarion call for self-representation and agency resonates at the core of our mission – to amplify voices, foster inclusivity, and champion equality in every sphere of civic life.
As the curtains draw on this exhilarating chapter of transformation and empowerment, the resounding joy, heartfelt impressions, and shared sense of accomplishment among participants paint a vivid tapestry of hope, progress, and unity. Our collective resolve to nurture inclusion, amplify marginalized voices, and advocate for equitable representation stands unwavering and resolute. The seeds of empowerment planted amidst the verdant landscapes of the West Region are destined to bloom into a garden of diversity, resilience, and democratic ethos, ushering forth an era where every voice is heard, every identity is celebrated, and every citizen claims their rightful place in the vibrant tapestry of the political ethos of Cameroon. We extend our deepest gratitude to all who participated in this transformative journey, and above all, our heartfelt thanks to the USA Embassy in Cameroon for their unwavering support and commitment to democracy, equality, and civic empowerment.
Together, hand in hand, we forge ahead, united in the pursuit of a more inclusive, just, and participatory democracy, where diversity flourishes, equality triumphs, and every individual stands tall as a beacon of change and progress. In the symphony of empowerment, let each note resonate with the promise of a brighter, more inclusive tomorrow, where the political landscape of Cameroon thrives on the mosaic of identities, the chorus of equality, and the melody of democratic resonance. As we carry forth the torch of empowerment and advocacy, we pledge to continue our mission at Working for our Wellbeing with renewed vigor, resilience, and passion, forging ahead on a path of progress, empowerment, and impactful change for all.
We Are Hiring
Position: Human Rights Observer
Location: North West Region, Cameroon
Deadline: Feb 11th 2024
Organization: Working for Our Wellbeing
About Working for Our Wellbeing:
Working for Our Wellbeing is a leading organization dedicated to upholding the rights and well-being of sexual and gender minority individuals in Cameroon. Our mission revolves around ensuring equal rights and access to essential healthcare and social services for marginalized communities, while actively advocating for gender equality and combating gender-based violence.
Job Description:
Working for Our Wellbeing is seeking a passionate and dedicated Human Rights Observer to play a pivotal role in recording and documenting cases of gender-based violence in the North West region of Cameroon. The Human Rights Observer will work to ensure the accurate documentation of such cases, contributing to the generation of essential data and informed interventions aimed at promoting human rights and safeguarding the well-being of individuals in the region.
Key Responsibilities:
– Record and document detailed and accurate information pertaining to each reported case, ensuring confidentiality and sensitivity in handling sensitive data.
– Compile comprehensive reports based on the documented cases, providing statistical data, and narrative descriptions to support evidence-based advocacy.
– Advise and support the organization’s initiatives and interventions aimed at addressing and preventing gender-based violence, contributing to the development of targeted and effective strategies.
– Uphold ethical standards and best practices in the documentation and reporting of human rights violations, ensuring the safety and well-being of all individuals involved.
Qualifications:
– A strong passion for human rights advocacy, with a particular focus on gender equality and the rights of marginalized communities.
– Previous experience in human rights observation, documentation, or related fields is an asset.
– Excellent communication skills, with the ability to gather, record, and communicate information effectively and sensitively.
– A deep understanding of the socio-cultural context and human rights landscape in the North West region of Cameroon.
– Fluency in English and/or French, with the ability to document cases in both languages.
Application Process:
To apply, please submit a cover letter, resume/CV, and any relevant supporting documents to: info@ourwellbeingcameroon.org
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Job Opportunity: Communication Officer
Working for our Wellbeing with registration number Registration N°: 266/2018/DR/C19/SAAJP is seeking a dynamic and proactive Communication Officer to join their dedicated team. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in managing and enhancing the organization’s communication efforts across various social media platforms while developing impactful content and effective communication strategies.
Key Responsibilities:
Oversee communication across all organizational social media platforms, ensuring a consistent and engaging presence.
Develop and implement innovative content creation strategies to effectively convey the mission and work of WFW, catering to diverse audiences and stakeholders.
– Generate and execute new and creative ideas to maintain and enhance the organization’s online visibility and impact.
– Work collaboratively with team members to align communication efforts with the overall objectives and values of the organization.
Requirements:
Proven experience in social media management and content creation, preferably in a nonprofit or advocacy setting.
Strong understanding of communication strategies and the ability to tailor messages for different audiences.
Demonstrated creativity and adaptability in generating fresh, engaging, and impactful content. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a keen eye for detail and accuracy.
Ability to work effectively in a team, while also demonstrating initiative and self-motivation.
Desired Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Marketing, Journalism, or a related field.
Familiarity with issues related to sexual and gender minorities and a passion for advocating for their rights and well-being.
To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter detailing your relevant experience, along with any innovative ideas you have to the following address:
info@ourwellbeingcameroon.org
Application Deadline: January 5th 2024.
Working for Our Wellbeing 