The march, coordinated by the Association for the Promotion of Women's Rights and Peace Building (AP-WORP) in collaboration with the North West Regional Coordination of the National Women's Convention for Peace in Cameroon, was held under the continental theme "driving lasting peace, justice and empowerment across our continent."
Starting from Mile One, the procession made its way through the Office of the Governor and other major streets before concluding at the Central Prison, symbolically taking its message of peace to one of the most overlooked communities in the city.
For organisers, the destination reflected the true purpose of the campaign.
"Our journey did not end with the walk," said Florence Munteh, Founder and Promoter of AP-WORP and lead organiser of the event.
"We extended our celebration to the Bamenda Central Prison, where we spent meaningful moments with 65 women inmates, sharing dignity kits, words of hope, encouragement, love and dignity. Together, we reminded them that their lives matter, their dreams are still valid and that they are not forgotten." she said
She said the outreach demonstrated that peace cannot be achieved solely through dialogue but also through compassion, inclusion and standing with those who are often marginalised.
"Our celebration reaffirmed that peace is built not only through dialogue but also through compassion, inclusion and standing with those who are often left behind," she added.
The prison outreach became the defining moment of the day as participants interacted with female inmates, including mothers living with young children, offering practical support alongside emotional encouragement.
Representing the government, the North West Regional Delegate for Women's Empowerment and the Family, Wirba Hassan, reaffirmed the state's commitment to advancing the participation of women in peacebuilding and community development, urging women to remain ambassadors of dialogue, reconciliation and social cohesion.
Speaking on behalf of the Governor of the North West Region, the Head of the Economic, Social and Cultural Affairs Division, Marceliout Djunang, assured participants that the government remains committed to pursuing lasting peace and restoring stability in the region. Both officials commended the growing role of women's organisations in fostering dialogue and encouraged communities to continue embracing peaceful coexistence as the foundation for sustainable development.
The Centre for Advocacy in Gender Equality and Action for Development (CAGEAD) after the participating in the event said the initiative highlighted the indispensable role women continue to play in peacebuilding, particularly within the conflict-affected North West and South West Regions.
The organisation noted that many of the women in prison had been directly or indirectly affected by the crisis, making the donation of hygiene kits something bigger than a charitable gesture.
"Every woman deserves dignity, hope and the assurance that she is not forgotten regardless of where she finds herself," the organisation stated, calling for continued efforts to ensure that no woman is left behind.
For Child Protection Specialist and Founder of the Pearl Foundation, Nsono Josephine, the march carried a deeper national significance.
"This walk was more than steps," she observed. "It was a statement that peace must reach every corner, from the streets to the prisons. African women remain at the centre of healing, reconciliation and nation building."
She said participants had deliberately chosen dialogue over violence and unity over division, describing every step taken during the march as a step towards a more peaceful Cameroon.
The Common Action for Gender Development (COMAGEND Cameroon) described the event as a movement of solidarity that transformed peace from an abstract idea into visible acts of empathy and restoration.
According to the organisation, the smiles, gratitude and emotional reactions from the women in prison reinforced the importance of extending peace initiatives to those whose stories are often overlooked.
The Sustainable Women Organisation (SWO), which also participated in the march, said the activity aligned with its commitment to promoting the participation of women in peacebuilding, conflict resolution and mediation under the framework of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.
The organisation noted that the procession received positive encouragement as it passed through the Governor's Office, reflecting growing support for community-led peace initiatives in the region.
Beyond marking Pan-African Women's Day, the Bamenda march illustrated how women's organisations are increasingly shifting from advocacy alone to practical interventions that restore dignity and strengthen communities affected by conflict.
By taking their campaign from the streets into the prison, participants sent a powerful message that peace must be inclusive and that reconciliation cannot succeed while vulnerable women remain forgotten.
As the march concluded, organisers renewed their commitment to expanding the Waka Waka 4 Peace initiative across communities in the North West Region, insisting that lasting peace will be built not only in conference halls but also through everyday acts of solidarity, compassion and hope.
One step at a time, they said, communities can walk together towards a more peaceful future.
By Bakah Derick with Reports
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