The role of women in conflict solving in Cameroon : as compared to the role of women in African philosophy

Abstract

Cameroon with it diverse cultural background, is still seen as the African miniature in terms of the daily activities of people in that nation. Women in Cameroon influence the fundamental part and activities of that society. The Catholic Women Association (CWA) has been a central force, in putting the community to enforce certain rights of its community dwellers. This study considers the role of women in conflict resolutions and the contributions they make with their traditional methods to ignite peace in the community in Cameroon. The study entails developing a gender perspective of peace building policies and projects at the local level. Thus embarking on the contribution of African women on the best practices of peace building and mediation techniques, as well as adopting the agenda for the culture of peace in Africa. The CWA has showcased some of the conflicts witnessed in the community with both the husband and the wife in marital issues, boys and girls in assaults, children left on their own with no parental care. These cases have been tried in the ‘’local court room’’ of the CWA and fines labeled on those who were found guilty. They administered cases in their courtroom could have gone civil courts but because it was quenched down and settled by the CWA,it did not go further. Thus the intervention helped to adopt a restoration justice approach in preventing and solving conflicts in the community. They either used the punitive methods which was for defaulters to pay some little amount of money or local consumer food stuff like ‘’palm oil’’etc. The data from this thesis was gathered during my field work based in Buea municipality which covers the villages like Maumu, Bova, Bonakanda and Buea central etc. The participant observation done in the branches of the CWA and oral interview given to head women and selected women in each of the branches. From the data being uncovered, it is clear that in the community of Buea, CWA has formed an integral part for resolving peace and bringing order in the community. Playing an important role in harmonizing broken families, peace Centre. In conclusion, the with my observation The Catholic Women Association(CWA) has been able to show some changes that has taken place for the voices and decisions of women to be heard and seen by the African men in the milieu of African culture and philosophy.