Category: Gender minority

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.

Tunisia,

Officially the Republic of Tunisia, is the northernmost country in Africa. It is a part of the Maghreb region of North Africa, bordered by Algeria to the west and southwest, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Tunisia’s first democratically elected president Beji Caid Essebsi died in July 2019. Following him, Kais Saied became Tunisia’s president after a landslide victory in the 2019 Tunisian presidential elections in October. On 23 October 2019, Kais Saied was sworn in as Tunisia’s new President with his term of office witnessing numerous unbelievable scandals.

During a statement on February 21, 2023, Saied called for the expulsion of all illegal immigrants, describing migration as a plot to alter Tunisia’s demographics so that it becomes more African and less Arab. This has particularly affected just black immigrants from various African countries.Saied’s remarks have since then sparked an uproar and has given rise to violent attacks on black Africans living in the country. It is however good to note that Tunisia is a major departure point for migrants seeking to cross the Mediterranean and over the past years there has witnessed a big increase in the number of Tunisians and other Africans trying to reach Europe via this means. Arguably, it is clear that most black immigrants in Tunisia are not there to look for Jobs or better living conditions but rather seeking ways to transit to Europe where they face all sorts of inhumane treatment, torture and abuse while on transit.

After the president’s declaration many black immigrants have gone into hideouts, while there are ongoing massive arrests, no one seems to be talking about the difficulties and challenges that black LGBTQIA persons are facing over there. We got in contact with 19 of them from various African countries and their stories are too hard to tell. Majority of them complained of police brutality, destruction of their property by citizens, rape by both the population and policemen. Those of them that we have talked to said immigrants from other Western and European nations were treated differently from those of African origin. Article 230 of the Tunisian Penal Code of 1913 (largely modified in 1964) decrees imprisonment of up to three years for private acts of sodomy between consenting adults, with cross-dressing not expressly being illegal, although transgender people, along with gay people, are often accused of violating Article 226 of the national Penal Code which outlaws “outrages against public decency”.

The situation of sexual and gender minority person’s leaves much to be desired as those with whom we are in contact can not step an inch outside due to fear of being arrested, tortured or raped. Despite wide condemnation of these numerous atrocities, the situation doesn’t seem to be getting any better.

All black immigrants might be facing the same challenges, but LGBTQIA persons face particular and perilous situations based on their sexuality which is already a major challenge to live. Most of them complain that they do not want to come back home for fear as the majority of them fled due to their sexual orientation.

Transgender person’s are particularly targeted and severely tortured. According to information we were able to gather, they “claimed” that after the police arrest them, they collect money from them and still go as far as sleeping with them there by putting them at risk of being contaminated with sexually transmitted infections like syphilis, Gonorrhea, Hepatitis etc. They particularly wish to be supported with Nutrition, Shelter, security, medication, Clothes just to name a few.

Africa being one of the most homophobic continents in the World, and Tunisia particularly being an Arab Nation that upholds strict Anti-gay laws put LGBTQIA person’s in greater danger. People in Tunisia face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Both male and female same-sex sexual activity are illegal. Tunisia, “authorities occasionally use [the anti-sodomy law] to detain and question persons about their sexual activities and orientation, reportedly at times based on appearance alone. This remains a challenging factor for Black LGBTQIA person’s over there caught up in this current crisis plaguing the nation and giving way to laissez-faire, disorder and citizens emoting their hate and disgust on especially black LGBTQIA immigrants.

They indeed need our Help!

Most African countries are constitutional democracies that afford extensive rights and freedoms to their citizens and safeguard their dignity. It is arbitrary, to say the least, to exclude from these the right to express sexuality or gender identity. But opponents of homosexuality would like to do just that. They often invoke “public interest”, “protection of the community” and “morals” to violate the dignity of queer persons. Just like most African counties, with the example of Cameroon, Ghana’s current constitution, for example, is widely hailed as an inspiring model of a state’s observance of these freedoms. Yet, on 29 June 2021, the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill 2022 was introduced in parliament. It aims to promote “proper human sexual rights and Ghanaian family values, and proscribe the promotion of and advocacy for LGBTQ+ practice”. The bill’s supporters claim to be motivated by religious and cultural values and ideals. The trend of the discussion of homosexuality in Africa since the 1980s suggests that this view is not uniquely African and that homosexuality nags at the conscience of Africans.

It is also necessary to recall that the first penal code adopted by the newly independent Cameroon in 1965, whose deputies were all from remote areas, considered that homosexuality was not harmful to society: because at that time, in Western countries, homosexuality was severely punished by the laws, so it is difficult to argue that homosexuality is not African but imported, while Africa is the cradle of humanity. The law criminalizing Homosexuality was made a crime by an ordinance of the First President of the Republic Ahmadou AHIDJIO signed in September 1972, which was later enforced by the legislature and enacted by his predecessor president Paul Biya in 1982 in its article 347-1 “Condemning from 6 months to 5 years imprisonment any person having sexual relations with a person of the same sex plus a fine of 20,000 to 200,000 FCFA ” it is, however, important to indicate that this particular law is contradicted in the Constitution of Cameroon in its preamble which Declares that the human person, without distinction as to race, religion, sex or belief, possesses inalienable and sacred rights. If article 347-1 of the penal code is condemning Homosexuality, and the constitution in its preamble is at the same time contradicting it then there is more to be questioned. Not forgetting that, the preamble of the constitution of Cameroon is made up of the universal declaration of human rights, and the constitution in its article 65 states that, “The preamble shall be part and parcel of the constitution” being the highest law of the land.

On 13 January 2014, Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan signed a bill against gay relationships, outlawing gay marriage, public displays of same-sex relationships, and membership in gay groups. A few days later, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni refused to sign an anti-homosexuality bill that has been in the works since 2009 on the grounds that there are other ways of dealing with ‘an abnormal person.’ Pondering the issue earnestly, he wrote: ‘Do we kill him/her? Do we imprison him/her?’ The ‘soft,’ revised ‘Kill the Gays Bill,’ as it is commonly nicknamed in the media, which has transformed the death penalty into incarceration, has caused substantial aid cuts, especially from European countries like Norway, Denmark, and the Netherlands. One expects other Western countries to follow suit. Museveni is not alone in figuring out how to hang dissenters. In the wake of the trial for ‘sodomy’ of the first president of Zimbabwe, Canaan Banana, his successor Robert Mugabe spoke of homosexuals in his 2002 campaign speech as ‘mad person[s]’ who will be sent to jail: ‘we don’t want to import it [homosexuality] to our country [Zimbabwe], we have our own culture, our own people’ (quoted in The Herald, Harare, Zimbabwe, 6 March 2002). 86 United Nations member countries have laws that criminalize same-sex relations; some 37 African countries, along with Middle Eastern countries, constitute a majority of those so that it is dangerous and even life-threatening to be out in Africa.

Homosexuality, itself a slippery contender finding its roots in nineteenth-century medical literature, is still thought to be quintessentially ‘un-African’ — recall Winnie Mandela’s supporters during her murder trial in 1991 displaying for the cameras outside the Johannesburg Supreme Court placards declaring: ‘HOMOSEX IS NOT IN BLACK CULTURE.’ However, South African Bishops were the only ones among African Anglican bishops not to defeat ‘resolutions’ (section I.10 on ‘Human Sexuality’) to improve the Church of England’s attitudes toward homosexuality at the 1998 decennial Lambeth Conference. It remains that the Church, especially in its Evangelical garb, is always ready to identify homosexuality as an abomination to God. American film-maker Roger Ross Williams, director of “God Loves Uganda” (2013), speculates that “Americans are behind” this evangelical frenzy against such abominations as same-sex sex in a country that happens to be one of the top three in the world to assiduously watch gay internet porn.

Homosexuality is also often depicted as an import from the deviant West. But the African Continent has always been more queer than generally acknowledged; it has always rainbow-hazed into such a range of sexualities that it is a matter of political and critical concern that homosexuality and African societies are read as anonymous. Also, this homosexuality falls outside of the purview of the law and even of language. The expression—‘to call a spade a spade’— entails speaking plainly without avoiding embarrassing issues. But what if the spade, while remaining a tool, is called differently in another language?

The question of what constitutes ‘sex’ in Africa and, in particular, same-sex sex is still a blind spot. As the work of Marc Epprecht and Neville Hoad has revealed, not all African men or women who have same-sex sex think of themselves as gay or homosexual or bisexual, or queer. They are seldom members of activist LGBT organizations and are not computed in the sexual health literature on HIV/AIDS. Also, in Africa, Latin America, and other parts of the world, there is tension between homosexual identity and homosexual practice. ‘Homosexual’ would be more likely reserved for the passive partner whereas the active partner retains heterosexual identity. In the Arab Muslim world, some thinkers like Joseph Massad in Desiring Arabs (2007) have pitted the ‘Gay International’ against ‘the Arab World.’ What is at play here is a politicization of African indigenous or Islamic same-sex desire as a form of resistance to West toxification. Yet, the West is not always perceived as the white peril that it is portrayed to be, as was evident in the Arab Spring movements, during which the West and the ‘Orient’ did and continue to share the same vocabularies that spread like a bushfire in the harmattan through the media, the internet, and social network sites.

However, such terms as ‘gay/lesbian,’ which reek of Western liberation struggles, and, more recently, ‘queer’, a movement generated in academe, certainly point to the globalization of sexual identities. These words were originally imported to the African continent via English, French and other Western languages and often clash with indigenous designations and their corollary practices. In South Africa, a ‘masculine man’ playing the dominant role in a relationship with another man is called ‘a straight man’ and is not perceived as ‘gay’ because he acts as penetrator during sexual intercourse. Conversely, the use of ‘gay’ is susceptible to a category crisis as some South African women self-identify as gay women rather than lesbians. Whereas the term ‘male lesbians’ is an attempt at translating the Hausa (e.g. Northern Nigerian) for ‘passive’ male partners or ‘yan kifi, who have sex with each other, ‘lesbian men’ in Namibia designate women who play the dominant ‘butch’ role in a same-sex relationship. Even though the terms ‘butch’ and ‘femme’ are not known in (Namibian) Damara culture, the various sexual practices and dress codes find some resonance in the admittedly Western butch-femme dyad. Conversely, in Kampala, Uganda, where sections 140 and 141 of the Penal Code condemn same-sex relations, some Ugandan women identify themselves as ‘tommy-boys,’ that is, biological women who see themselves as men, who need to be the dominant partner during sex, rather than ‘lesbians,’ and often pass as men.

From Senegal to Southern Africa, many African gay men invoke the animistic belief in ancestor spirit possession. A Shona gay man in Zimbabwe claims he is inhabited by his ‘auntie’ whereas in Senegal, the gor-djigeen (male-female in Wolof) is haunted by the primordial severance between male and female in the Creation of the Universe. In her autobiography, Black Bull, Ancestors and Me (2008), written in the safety provided by the new South African Constitution in 1996, with its ground-breaking sexual orientation (9:3) clause in its bill of rights, Nkunzi Zandile Nkabinde relays her gradual empowerment as a ‘lesbian sangoma’ or traditional healer in Johannesburg. Yet, more than the famed sexual orientation clause, the ‘homosexual’ relationship between her as a sangoma ‘male woman’ dominated by her ‘male ancestor’ and her ‘ancestral wife’ is sanctioned by Zulu spiritual possession cults, which often privilege female men over male women. Upon closer scrutiny, it appears that lesbian sangomas and their ancestral wives are not united in a common identity based on shared sexual orientation but rather are distinguished from each other according to gender difference, complicated by spirituality. Ancestral wives can only function in their relation to masculine females or ‘male women,’ the way ‘dees’ (from the last syllable of the English word ‘lady’) function solely in their relation to ‘toms’ (from ‘tomboys’) in Thailand. Thai toms are capable (khlong-tua) biological women who protect and perform sexually for dees or female partners, without toms and dees being thought of as ‘lesbians.’ Even though Nkunzi Nkabinde, unlike the Thai tom, translates her gender identity into ‘tomboy’, ‘lesbian’ and ‘butch’, the Zulu label tagged onto her ‘ancestral wife,’ like the Thai term ‘dee,’ falls off the grid of a global, translational and transnational vocabulary.

That vocabulary is also expanding in Western societies where the LGBT spectrum has now become LGBTQI2. The 2 refers to ‘Two-Spirit,’ the translation of niizh manitoog, the Northern Algonquin term in vogue since 1990 in Canada, which has been added alongside the Q of Queer and the ‘I’ of Intersex. Both in and outside of Africa, there is an argumentative frenzy around the instability of gender and sex and non-conforming performances of gender. This may lead to the worldwide need to re-orient sexual orientation clauses to embrace and protect a gender diversity that dares not speak its name. After all, a spade is a shovel but it is also one of the four suits in conventional playing cards.

We’re glad to present to you Clara Orock our Gender and Community Officer.She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering. After graduation, Clara gained interest in Civil society and Humanitarian activities and dedicated most of her time to seeing her passion come through. She has worked as a medical representative and has excellent leadership skills. She is an engaging person full of positive energy and has a dedicated passion for her Job.She is a team leader and at your service. If we were to give her a color it will be Blue because of her interest in seeing things go right and gain the expected results and output. She is in charge of all Gender related issues Congrats Clara

Gender inclusion is a concept that transcends mere equality. It’s the notion that all services, opportunities, and establishments are open to all people and that male and female stereotypes do not define societal roles and expectations. While many countries have made dramatic strides in narrowing the gap between the sexes, statistics show that prevalent challenges exist, and we must address and eradicate them before our society can achieve true gender inclusion.

Promoting gender inclusion through the creation of demonstrative examples of the concept in action is of the utmost importance as we strive toward this goal.

The Need for Gender Inclusion

Even as prominent sections of the population strive for a more inclusive society, the lack of gender inclusion persists as a major issue. According to a 2017 United Nations survey, various structural roles in the home, school, and workplace are prime movers behind the ongoing lack of inclusion.

Gender Gaps in the Workforce

The discrepancy in workplace wages is one of the biggest indicators that a lack of gender inclusion still exists. While studies indicate that the gender gap in pay has decreased since 1980, there is still a noticeable difference between what women earn and what men earn. The following resources demonstrate how this gap looks in modern society.

The Narrowing, but Persistent, Gender Gap in Pay: This comprehensive write up aims at indicating existing gaps between what men earn which is at times slightly too much or with big gap difference between what women earn.

The State of the Gender Pay Gap 2018: This report breaks down the gender pay gap through correlating workforce data, including the lack of women at an executive level.

What Can Be Done to Demonstrate Gender Inclusion?

The concepts of gender inclusion and gender roles can originate during child development. Studies indicate these roles are chiefly established during adolescence. Therefore, it is important to reach out to youths and explain the significance of gender inclusion. Doing so can potentially make inroads toward eliminating the gender gap that is still unfortunately prevalent in society.

Talking to Young Kids About Gender Stereotypes: This article provides guidance on how to raise children in an environment defined by gender inclusiveness and also lays out the negative gender attitudes that can manifest without such an atmosphere.

Fast Facts: Youth and Gender Equality: This report demonstrates the challenges that lie ahead in reaching youths about gender inclusion around the world.

Understanding Inclusion and Participation in Working with Youth: This article is a summary of a UNESCO-led workshop built around demonstrating gender inclusion to young people.

The Future of Gender Inclusion

The ongoing push to close the gender gap and promote gender inclusion may have a fundamental impact on how future generations perceive gender and gender roles.

The Future of Gender?: This article examines the impact gender inclusion could have on various aspects of society, from gender hierarchy to communication.

A Gender-Neutral Future: This article demonstrates how further decreasing the gender expectations surrounding various activities can bring about greater instances of gender inclusion.How Can Teachers Be More Gender Inclusive in the Classroom?: This article explores the role of educators in promoting gender inclusiveness and equality to tomorrow’s adults.

It’s BI Week! ❤️ Dedicated to all BI persons💕

Collective amnesia makes us feel as if there are no bi people in history. That is, until we see that bi people have been there all along, they’ve just been mislabeled or left out of the narrative. Bisexuality is the sexual and/or romantic attraction to multiple genders.

Nestled within the term bisexual are other labels, including pansexual, omnisexual, and polysexual. Which term people use is almost entirely down to preference, although sometimes the choice is driven by an ahistorical misconception that the bi in bisexual reinforces a gender binary and excludes trans and nonbinary people.One reason why we might “forget” bisexuals is because those who are attracted to people of multiple genders rarely call themselves bi. Historically, there have been a number of reasons for this, including wanting to avoid discrimination and stigma. There have long been toxic misconceptions of bisexual people as promiscuous and unfaithful, in a confused state of sexual transition or experimentation, lying about their attractions for attention or to attract men (particularly bi women), or simply adhering to some sort of trend (particularly young people).Being bi could also get you kicked out of your local queer space. Bisexuality introduces nuance, which has always made it easier to discard than accommodate it. In tough times, when queer people were fighting for their lives and for basic legal protections, some gay rights groups strategically rejected bisexual people.

The month of September is dedicated to bisexual identity, relationships, and community! While we’re taking this particular time to celebrate bisexuality and its integral role in the LGBTIQ+ community, we must also take this time to become more aware of the independent struggles that bi, pan, and other non-monosexual/monoromantic people Face.

The situation in Cameroon becomes more confusing as the existing legislation criinalises blindly same sex activities even though the statement within the context of the law remains vague as it stipulates “any one caught having sexual relationship with a person of the same sex shall be punished with imprisonment for from 6months to 5 years with a fine of from 20000frs to 200000frs” thus making it more confusing because the fundamental question remains, how will you catch two people having sex if they are in their closed private space, the trend has been people breaking in and removing two lovers from their private space, so the nature of Biphobia is alarming in Cameroon.

Bisexual erasure is the invisibilization of bisexual identity, and microaggressions against bi folks are rampant within and outside the LGBTIQ+ community. These actions, while they may be well-intentioned, can perpetuate a mentality of gatekeeping that we’re not About. Just like other countries will be fully engaged in celebrating BI week, it is however going to be a different narrative in most parts of the world where Punitive Laws against LGBTIQ persons still exist Four out of five African countries have laws criminalising homosexuality and the public expression of sexual or gender behaviour that does not conform with heterosexual norms. These same laws even sometimes punish LGBTI (lesbian, gay, Bisexual, trans, intersex) rights advocacy.

Some African countries have partly decriminalised LGBTI persons or given them better protection. However, across the continent – with the notable exception of South Africa – such persons are still far from fully enjoying the same rights as other citizens reasons why bisexuality Week will be celebrated low key for security reasons. Furthermore, recent years have seen the emergence of a worrying trend: the adoption of tougher legislation coupled with clapdowns on the bisexual community who are often discriminated upon and humiliated by fmikly or their spouse when they discover their bi nature. An argument frequently used in support of discriminatory legislative and other measures targeting LGBTI persons is that non-conforming sexual orientations and gender identities were brought to Africa by Western colonisers and are contrary to the ‘African values’.    With the exception of South Africa where LGBTIQ person are allowed by the constitution to exercise their sexuality/sexual orientation freely, the question of diversity and tolerance remains a major problem in most African countries even though Bisexual persons are endowed with super Amazing potentials and qualities, most of them prefer to keep their sexual orientation private as it could jeopardize their career or relationships.

People have often asked this rhetorical question “if Homosexuality is criminalized in almost all of Africa then where are Bisexual persons in all of this, or there exisit non ?” the answer to this will be surprising but LGBTIQ persons consitute a vast majority of the population but will rather live in hiding and fear due to existing Punitive Laws. Even though over the years countries have been trying to weaken their legislation regarding same-sex sexual activities, South Africa remains the only country where living freely and getting married as an LGBTIQ person is permitted by law. South Africa is one of the few African countries that has been less defiant and more tolerant to the LGBTIQ community and more importantly to the Bisexual community and one of the only countries that has produced many talented singers, stars and persons of high influence who /are bisexual persons. The country has by far experienced an increase in the number of cases of people coming out. Surprisingly, the paradox that South Africa’s gay, lesbian, and bisexual  movement, although opposed by the vast majority of the population, has progressed much faster since democratisation in 1994 than other  movements worldwide. Why have the movement’s legal victories – especially on same-sex marriage, which is little-discussed in the scholarly literature – not been overturned by a hostile public? My answer considers the political alignments of the post-apartheid era, the tactical responses of the movement and its opponents, and the attempts of both sides to site their arguments within the broader master-frames of liberation or tradition. The LGBTIQ movement has succeeded because stable political alignments allow it to concentrate on lobbying and litigation, where it has compellingly argued that its own agenda dovetails with that of the ruling elite. The countermovement, in contrast, has focused on electoral politics, has lacked internal cohesion, and has been unable to craft a message that resonates with the beliefs and values of post-apartheid nationalism – weaknesses that to date have impeded popular opposition from interfering with the LGBTQ movement’s legal victories and that are likely to continue doing  so. South Africa has a record of celebrities and politicians “coming out” to the public as LGBTIQ persons with the example of Popular Brenda Fassie of Blessed memory.

Here I will be examining one of such prominent celebrities by name Somizi Buyani M. who came out as Bisexual, his most famous works and the impact he has created both nationally and internationally.Somizi Buyani Mhlongo with a networth of over $ 5million as of 2022 (born 23 December 1972) is a South African media personality, television presenter, actor and choreographer. In 1992, he appeared on the musical and political film, Sarafina! which gained him prominence. He has been lead choreographer for numerous shows and events, including the opening and closing ceremonies for the 2010 FIFA World Cup and 2013 Africa Cup of Nations. He has a 27 years old daughter with Palesa Madisakwane by name Bahumi Madisakwane. He later on got married married to Mohale Motaung (2019_2021) another South Male African celebrity.

Mhlongo has also appeared in several films including drama film Cry, the Beloved Country (1995) as well as various television shows, including Idols South Africa and V Entertainment.Mhlongo has featured on the television series Tarzan: The Epic Adventures in 1996. His biggest judging duty was when he was appointed as the new judge for the eleventh season of Idols South Africa. He was also a lead judge on the former SABC 1 competition show Dance your butt off.  In 2016, he premiered his reality show Living the Dream with Somizi which aired on Mzansi Magic. Other TV credits include City Ses’la, Ayeye and 10 Over 10.This alone kills the conception many people have about LGBTIQ persons. Back to our celebrity, On 29 June 2017, Mhlongo released his autobiographical book named Dominoes, Unbreakable Spirit, which he co-wrote along with journalist and author Lesley Mofokeng. The book shares his life in showbiz, childhood, entertainment business, parents’ roles, sexuality and friendship.The TV personality is among the many local and international stars who often make headlines with his admirable charity work.

By helping the needy, offering wheelchairs to persons with disabilities, helping pregnant single mothers. His acts of kindness go beyond measure. But his success story has not been without stumbling blocks as The government of Zambia once banned the Bi television presenter actor and singer from performing in Zambia.To crown it all, even though being an LGBTIQ persons and more importantly Bisexual in most parts of the world remains a taboo coupled with the fact that bisexual persons get less recognition, it remains very pertinent that we build tolerance and diversity in our hearts, thus giving chance to peaceful coexisting with one another.

Happy 😊 BI week

The General public can now have access to our Annual Report for 2021 by simply downloading or viewing the file attached below to see all details.

Our goal is to modernize how people talk about equality and inclusion of sexual and Gender minorities, and tie it back to what this historical moment is calling for that is: Complet decriminalization. Our Partners, Donors, and collaborators through grants were able to give us an active voice throughout 2021 in realizing these works.

As you all know, Working for our wellbeing Cameroon has as mission to Carter for the welfare of sexual and Gender minorities in Cameroon. We were able to achieve these goals due to the support we got from partners and collaborators in 2021. During this period, we succeeded to establish a strong network through the work we do. These bodies include TCEN, UNFVT, The European Union, ALL OUT, and DIGNITY FOR ALL not forgetting our consortium of platforms such as: The Platform Unity and others who accompanied us and helped us to be able to reach our target and goals for the year 2021.

A big thank you.

Last year marked a turning point in the history of our organization. 2021 made Working for our Wellbeing Cameroon exactly 5 years of existence. It was a moment of celebration of excellence and achievement for how far we have gone and the work we have done during the previous years. Being one and so far only English Speaking Organizations in the entire Cameroon that defends and Protects the Rights of sexual and Gender minorities have been challenging for us even though with the many challenges,  we have been able to pave our way through. During this solemn seremony, persons that have been actively and tirelessly serving the community through their work were awarded certificates of excellence for their bravery and community service. The pictures below are intended to serve as archive for reference.

For the past weeks, there has been a significant rise in the Number of Gender Based Violence Cases being reported all over the national territory. After thorough findings and fact-checking by our GBV department, we will like to inform the entire LGBTIQ+ community to be vigilant and on alert. There have been a great number of ill-intent Individuals who have infiltrated dating Applications and are posing as community members. They will invite their victim(s) to a specific location or another town and collect everything from them that is, emptying their MOMO/OM Accounts, Bank Accounts, forcefully collecting any valuables, recording nude videos of their victims to use later on to extort more money from them and even go as far calling (the Victims) family members to send them money.

We continue to irritate the fact that the security of community members is our priority but physical security can only be guaranteed by each individual. We are collectively calling the attention of all sister organizations in all regions of Cameroon to carry out more sensitization campaigns to educate community members about this danger and a new strategy that has been developed by persons of bad faith influenced by homophobia and lack an inclusive mind of togetherness and tolerance.

Moreover, we will like to indicate that these hoodlums do not act alone but are accompanied by some unprofessional forces of law and order just like the recent case in NKONGSAMBA and OBALA which we are closely following up to track down all persons involved in this malicious act. These persons not only put the lives of community members in jeopardy but tarnish the image of our brave and professional police force.

To this effect, community members and other persons wishing to visit NKOGSAMBA and OBALA should take note that these zones are extremely dangerous and unfriendly. We call on the attention of everyone to be careful and watch out. Also to call on the attention of community members aiding these persons to put an end to this so that we can collectively build and inclusive society. In case of an emergency, we can be contacted at info@ourwellbeing.org or via our social media handles @ (Working for our wellbeing/our wellbeing Cameroon)

COMMUNIQUÉ DE PRESSE Depuis quelques semaines, une augmentation significative du nombre de cas de violence basée sur le genre a été signalée sur l’ensemble du territoire national. Après une enquête approfondie et une vérification des faits par notre département VBG, nous souhaitons informer l’ensemble de la communauté LGBTIQ+ qu’elle doit être vigilante et en alerte. Un grand nombre d’individus mal intentionnés ont infiltré les applications de rencontre et se font passer pour des membres de la communauté. Ils invitent leur(s) victime(s) à un endroit spécifique ou dans une autre ville et leur soutirent tout ce qu’ils peuvent, c’est-à-dire vider leurs comptes MOMO/OM, leurs comptes bancaires, récupérer de force tout objet de valeur, enregistrer des vidéos dénudées de leurs victimes afin de les utiliser plus tard pour leur extorquer davantage d’argent et même aller jusqu’à appeler les membres de la famille des victimes pour leur envoyer de l’argent.

Nous continuons à irriter le fait que la sécurité des membres de la communauté est notre priorité mais que la sécurité physique ne peut être garantie que par chaque individu. Nous appelons collectivement l’attention de toutes les organisations sœurs dans toutes les régions du Cameroun pour qu’elles mènent davantage de campagnes de sensibilisation afin d’éduquer les membres de la communauté sur ce danger et sur une nouvelle stratégie qui a été développée par des personnes de mauvaise foi influencées par l’homophobie et manquant d’un esprit inclusif de rassemblement et de tolérance.

En outre, nous tenons à indiquer que ces voyous n’agissent pas seuls mais sont accompagnés par certaines forces de l’ordre non professionnelles, à l’instar de la récente affaire de NKONGSAMBA et OBALA que nous suivons de près pour traquer toutes les personnes impliquées dans cet acte malveillant. Ces personnes ne mettent pas seulement la vie des membres de la communauté en danger mais ternissent l’image de notre courageuse et professionnelle force de police.

A cet effet, les membres de la communauté et autres personnes souhaitant visiter NKOGSAMBA et OBALA doivent prendre note que ces zones sont extrêmement dangereuses et hostiles. Nous appelons l’attention de chacun à être prudent et à faire attention. Aussi d’attirer l’attention des membres de la communauté qui aident ces personnes à mettre fin à cela afin que nous puissions construire collectivement une société inclusive. En cas d’urgence, nous pouvons être contactés à l’adresse info@ourwellbeing.org ou via nos poignées de médias sociaux @ (Working for our wellbeing/notre bien-être Cameroun)

If you can muster the courage to talk about your feelings, it can—and will—be resolved.

Some people think that talking about sad feelings will make them worse, but the opposite is always true. Recently, the rate at which Sexual and Gender minorities are dying Because of depression Is alarming. The society has conditioned us to it’s own standards, defined by the very people who have little or less regards to how others feel.

This is simple, at times it’s not always about being right all times, failure is another important ingredient that spies up our daily functioning when

We understand this aspect it will help us better manage anxiety. It takes courage and bravery to get back on track and say “I will redo this even though I failed”. Don’t let your fears pin you down. Sorround yourself with positive filled people, with people that will verbally challenge you to slumber less and crack hard on those dreams. It’s a decision you will have to take either ways.

It is very helpful to share your worries with someone who will listen and care about what you say. They don’t need to be able to “fix” you; they just need to be good listeners.Coping with suicidal thoughtsIf your negative feelings caused by depression become so overwhelming that you can’t see any solution besides harming yourself or others, you need to get help right away. Asking for help when you’re in the midst of such strong emotions can be really difficult, but it’s vital you reach out to someone you trust—a friend, family member, or teacher, for example. If you don’t feel that you have anyone to talk to.Whatever your situation, it takes real courage to face death and step back from the brink. You can use that courage to help you keep going and overcome depression.

There is ALWAYS another solution, even if you can’t see it right now. Many people who have survived a suicide attempt say that they did it because they mistakenly felt there was no other solution to a problem they were experiencing. At the time, they couldn’t see another way out, but in truth, they didn’t really want to die. Remember that no matter how badly you feel, these emotions will pass.Having thoughts of hurting yourself or others does not make you a bad person.

Depression can make you think and feel things that are out of character. No one should judge you or condemn you for these feelings if you are brave enough to talk about them.If your feelings are uncontrollable, tell yourself to wait 24 hours before you take any action. This can give you time to really think things through and give yourself some distance from the strong emotions that are plaguing you. During this 24-hour period, try to talk to someone—anyone—as long as they are not another suicidal or depressed person.If you’re afraid you can’t control yourself, make sure you are never alone.

Even if you can’t verbalize your feelings, just stay in public places, hang out with friends or family members, or go to a movie—anything to keep from being by yourself and in danger. Hang out have fun chill and pour out those excess emotions on something else.