The Bafoussam AGM adopts reforms, opens membership, and targets stronger field impact amid shifting conflict dynamics
The South West North West Women Task Force (SNWOT) has set out a sharper operational course aimed at strengthening women’s influence in peace and development processes across Cameroon’s conflict-affected regions.
Meeting in Bafoussam from 6 to 7 February 2026 under the theme “strengthening foundations, renewing spirits, and shaping the future”, the coalition used its Annual General Meeting to confront persistent gaps in coordination, visibility, and resources while positioning itself for wider reach in the year ahead.
Years into the crisis in the North West and South West, women and girls remain among the most exposed to displacement, economic disruption, and social strain. SNWOT leaders say the renewed strategy is designed to respond directly to these realities.
“The strategic plan has been designed to respond to the evolving dynamics of the crisis affecting the two regions,” General Coordinator Andiensa Clotilda Waah said, adding that the coalition’s work will now address not only the core conflict but also emerging tensions that continue to impact women and communities.
Presentation of annual report
To anchor that shift, the AGM reviewed and validated SNWOT’s standard operating procedures alongside a five year strategic action plan. Members also adopted a detailed operational roadmap for 2026, setting priorities for advocacy, peacebuilding, and capacity strengthening.
“The AGM allowed us to assess the progress made over the past year and to develop an operational plan that will guide our work going forward,” Andiensa Clotilda noted.
Institutional reforms formed a central pillar of the meeting’s outcomes. SNWOT reopened membership until 28 February 2026 and approved four membership categories covering individuals, experts, younger organisations, and more established partners. Terms of office for the Management Team, Board of Directors, and Focal Points were fixed at two years, renewable once based on performance.
During breakout session
The coalition also moved to close a long-standing visibility gap by agreeing to establish an official website.
“One of the main challenges identified was our limited capacity to properly document and showcase our work,” Waah said, adding that stronger monitoring will now capture lessons learned, success stories, and best practices.
Despite constraints, the review highlighted concrete gains. SNWOT engaged members of the United Nations Security Council and officials from several UN agencies, advocating for women’s inclusion as a condition for sustainable peace. At community level, the coalition expanded the use of its Peace Building Manual, with more than 500 women sensitised in 2025 alone.
Humanitarian outreach also continued, including the distribution of food items and basic household support to victims in Gilgado.
Looking ahead, the new strategy places emphasis on building local ownership of peace initiatives and equipping women with the skills and confidence to participate in decision making at all levels. Achieving that scale, however, will depend on stronger partnerships.
“Partners are expected to provide financial and technical support as well as platforms that will enable SNWOT to continue advocating for women’s participation,” the general Coordinator said, while calling on the board of directors to intensify resource mobilisation efforts.
With fresh governance measures, an expanded membership drive, and a clearer operational focus, SNWOT expects the Bafoussam decisions to translate into wider field presence and more coordinated action across the two regions.
If implemented as planned, the reforms are expected to strengthen the coalition’s ability to deliver peacebuilding, advocacy, and targeted support programmes, positioning women not only as beneficiaries of recovery efforts but as central actors in shaping stability and development.
By Bakah Derick with reports from bafoussam for Hilltopvoices Online
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