Who we are

In 2011 in Bamenda, the North West Region of Cameroon, a group of women seeking to improve their agricultural production systems by making them environmentally friendly and sustainable founded the Community Agriculture and Environmental Protection Association Cameroon (CAEPA). Our aim is to improve agricultural management, enhanced practices, obtain better seeds that produce higher yields, and provide training to rural women to improve their harvest yields, crop quality, and plant uniformity. Among our objectives are the correct and sustainable use of water, reduced use of fertilizers and pesticides, and improving women's largest investment: their family and farm.

The intersectionality between the different axes of discrimination, such as age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, belonging, ethnicity, religion, state of health, legal or administrative situation, is key for our organization and to be able to adequately respond to specific needs of every woman.

In 2022, the humanitarian situation in Cameroon remains acute, with 3.9 million people in need of emergency assistance following the incursion of Boko Haram in the Far-North Region as well as the socio-political crisis that erupted in 2016 in the North West and South West regions. The conflicts worsened the situation for vulnerable populations, especially women and girls who are at high risk for sex and gender-based violence (SGBV) and human rights violations. The 2011 Demographic and Health Survey and Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey , which included interviews with over 15,000 women, found that 68% of women had experienced physical or sexual violence from their husband or partner in the past 12 months. More recently, the 2022 SGBV AoR Update by the Global Protection , which included sensitisation of 153,000 individuals at community level, found that 89% of victims were women or girls, and 28% of total cases were children. 27% of the total cases reported were classified as sexual violence. The post-violence effects on survivors of domestic/intimate partner violence—including low self-esteem, fear, depression, post-traumatic distress disease, stigma, and isolation—also tend to affect the livelihood and well-being of the entire household.

The Anglophone Crisis—a socio-political conflict that has affected the Northwest and Southwest regions of Cameron for over six years—has caused massive levels of population displacement in the Northern region and region bordering Nigeria. A total of 180 villages have been destroyed. Excessive stress induced by the conflict and population movement have compounded on economic and service disruptions since the COVID-19 pandemic and have further exacerbated the dire problem of Gender Based Violence.

In the midst of crisis and conflict, internally displaced people (IDP) especially women and girls are particularly vulnerable to sexual and physical aggression, forced and/or early marriage, and psychological violence. Access to prevention and response services to SGBV is limited in certain areas due to an absence of qualified personals and an inadequacy of shelters for survivors. According to 2019 regional data , 73% of SGBV cases are sexual harassment incidents and 52% of survivors are classified as IDPs, among whom 82% are female and 37% are children.

• Equal Opportunities for women and men, girls and boys alike through empowering women and girls in entrepreneurship, advocacy, education, and community.
• Transparency and Accountability in our mission, research, and projects through accurate, thorough reporting and engaging in the communities in which we work.
• Commitment to Fairness and Equity throughout our organisation, partners, and projects to uphold a high quality of work that reflects our mission, history, and intention for years to come.

• We have isolated a series of ‘changepoints’ within each programme in which we will focus directly on in 2023-2028. These selected contributions will support communal development and strengthen to normalise women and girl’s empowerment, strengthen communal management of land, resources, and knowledge to mitigate climate change and promote sustainable development.