When Women are Empowered, Everyone Benefits

Since 2017, the armed conflict between the Cameroon Armed Forces and armed separatist groups, known as the Ambazonia War or the Cameroon Civil War, has affected Cameroon’s Anglophone region.

The ongoing violence has had catastrophic impacts on the civilian population. Many live in terror and uncertainty, almost half a million people have been either displaced or forced to migrate to neighbouring Nigeria, and thousands of lives have been claimed.

This includes Theresa, who moved to Ogoja after leaving Cameroon because of the crisis.

“Money in my pocket would mean making my own decisions and not being vulnerable,” she said.

But she and her six children still faced challenges upon arriving in Nigeria. Theresa was concerned about their security and welfare, especially with no source of income or support. For a female-headed household, accessing resources, economic development, and supplies seemed unachievable. Not to mention bearing the “refugee tag” in a new country.

“It was hard to live in Nigeria despite escaping the violence in my home country,” said Theresa. She worried about generating income, especially after her husband deserted the family. “The future seemed bleak.”

But Theresa never faltered to provide for herself and her family. She looked for opportunities and community initiatives within the refugee settlement and was selected to be a part a project by Cuso International aimed at providing 15 women an opportunity to develop skills in mushroom cultivation.

Funded by Global Affairs Canada as part of Cuso’s Sharing Canadian Expertise for Inclusive Development and Gender Equality (SHARE) project, and in partnership with Atem Foundation, the mushroom cultivation project provides training and resources to marginalized women in rural communities. The initiative has helped to make markets accessible, promote environmental sustainability, and empower women in the community to be more economically independent.

For Theresa, she has a great sense of enthusiasm, passion, and determination to make the best of this opportunity. She sees this training as a support in taking her out of despondency and dependency. The support will make way for a better and brighter future for herself and her children.

As this is her first business venture, Theresa will continue to receive business development support to enhance her business scale-up and sustainability.