Greetings to you our valued reader,

we hope that you are doing well as you read the mid-November edition of our newsletter. Thank you for your unwavering support. In these times of uncertainty, it is crucial to focus on both our physical and mental well-being.

Our main objective this month is on promoting gender equality and putting an end to gender-based violence.

Quote:

"Protecting children and communities is not just a moral duty, it is an investment in our future." - Kofi Annan

Fostering Gender Equality through Comprehensive Protection Training: A Collaborative Approach.

Stakeholders involved in the protection training

Over the last three years, we collaborated with IREX to tackle crucial issues such as gender-based violence and menstrual health management in schools. We provided peer educators' training in the South West region of Cameroon, covering schools with and without disabilities. Recently, we conducted a protection training with several stakeholders, emphasizing the significance of protecting and advancing the safety and rights of young people. VIAC launched the programme, spotlighting IREX's backing for an implementation research initiative in conflict-ridden areas, with a specific concentration on enhancing menstrual health practices amongst teenagers in schools. This study aimed to increase awareness of menstrual hygiene, decrease stigma, and encourage young people's involvement in sexual health and gender equality. By tackling these issues, we are establishing a safer and more supportive environment for adolescents in schools and localities.

Quote:

"Communities have the power to protect their children from HIV by creating a safe and supportive environment for them to grow and thrive." - Nelson Mandela

VIAC Partners with CARE Cameroon for IBBS 2023 Research Study

 VIAC Staff and the HIV Coordinator for the South West Region, Dr. Ajeh Rogers

VIAC collaborated with CARE Cameroon for the Integrated Biological and Behavioral Survey (IBBS) 2023 research study. The goal of this study was to revise the biological, behavioural, and environmental indicators that affect HIV transmission among key groups, such as female sex workers, men who have sex with men, drug users, injecting drug users, and transgender individuals. The primary objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of both HIV and STIs, as well as the size of the target population. Furthermore, it presents the relevant services and prevention programmes provided for them, aiding us in improving the health outcomes of key populations in Cameroon. The study conducted in 13 cities in Cameroon, lasting for three months, will furnish data on the locations where HIV and STI transmission is most likely to occur among key populations. Furthermore, it presents the relevant services and prevention programmes provided for them, aiding us in improving the health outcomes of key populations in Cameroon. Furthermore, it presents the relevant services and prevention programmes provided for them, aiding us in improving the health outcomes of key populations in Cameroon.

Quote:

"Nursing encompasses an art, a humanistic orientation, a feeling for the value of the individual, and an intuitive sense of ethics, and of the appropriateness of action taken." - Myrtle Aydelotte

Community Nurses Establish Partnerships with 3 New Sex Worker Sites in Buea

Sex Symbols

Our community nurses have reached a major milestone by successfully partnering with three new sex worker sites in Buea. This accomplishment bears witness to the commitment and hard work of our nurses, who have been tirelessly working to outreach to at-risk communities and deliver essential healthcare services. The partnerships will empower our nurses to offer essential healthcare services to sex workers who are frequently subject to stigmatization in these regions of Cameroon. These services include STI/HIV testing, counselling, and education on sexual and reproductive health. Furthermore, these partnerships will contribute to preserving the trust between VIAC and the sex worker community.

Our Community nurses Brenda and Ifesinachi

Quote:

"Gender-based violence is a human rights violation, a public health challenge, and a barrier to civic, social, political, and economic participation." - UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka

DIGITAL ADVOCACY

This November, we will launch a 16-day activism campaign from the 25th to promote gender equality, end violence regardless of gender, and empower communities to act. Through workshops and online discussions we will share personal stories of GBV survivors to raise awareness, and invite individuals, organizations, and community groups to participate. We also welcome partnerships with like-minded organizations. Our objective is to establish a more secure and equitable world where all individuals can live with dignity, respect and fairness.

If you have interest in partnering with us, please send us an email expressing your interest via email: viacvolunteer22@gmail.com.

NEW OPPORTUNITIES

Call for Experts:

Technical Advisory Group on Violence against Women
Prevalence Estimation and Data
The World Health Organization welcomes expressions of interest from
scientists, research methodologists, data and survey specialists who
will serve on the Technical Advisory Group (TAG) on Violence against
Women Prevalence Estimation and Data and advise on their work on
violence against women prevalence estimates, data and measurement. The
TAG shall normally be expected to meet at least once per year, either
in-person or virtually at WHO Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland,
usually for 2-3 days each time. Meetings may be convened in other
locations if determined by WHO. Additional meetings and/or interim
teleconferences may be required of members where input is requested on
specific issues. To register your interest in being considered for the
TAG on Violence against Women Prevalence Estimation and Data, please
submit the following documents by 16 November 2023, 23h59 Central
European Time (UTC + 2 hours) to vawestimates@who.int using the subject
line “Expression of interest for the TAG on Violence against Women
Prevalence Estimation and Data”. Learn more here: https://svri.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=8c8621f1de425f5dba8bb04bb&id=567fafa12e&e=b77373641d

Call for proposals:

SVRI Forum 2024 Communications Consultancy
We are seeking a Communications Consultancy to develop and implement a
comprehensive communications strategy for the SVRI Forum 2024 [5]. While the consultancy may be located anywhere globally, preference will be
given to applicants residing and working in South Africa or elsewhere in
the African continent. Interested applicants are invited to submit
comprehensive proposals outlining their approach to developing and
implementing the communications strategy and plan for SVRI Forum 2024.
The proposal should include details on the steps involved, a timeline for activities, and a detailed budget. Learn more here https://svri.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=8c8621f1de425f5dba8bb04bb&id=53265ada1e&e=b77373641d. Proposals
should be submitted by midnight SAST on 11 December 2023.

UNFPA Sierra Leone

is seeking a Consultant to Develop Spotlight Proposal
In response to the anticipated Spotlight Initiative to eliminate all
forms of VAWG, encompassing harmful practices like female genital
mutilation, the United Nations, seek to engage an Individual Consultant
to provide technical support towards the development of a Country
Programme Document/Proposal for Sierra Leone. The purpose of the
consultancy is to provide comprehensive support in the prioritisation
and development of a proposal aimed at addressing violence against women and girls (VAWG).  The consultancy will start as soon as possible and
last for up to 9 months. Interested candidates should contact Sibeso
Mululuma mululuma@unfpa.org and Magdeline Madibela madibela@unfpa.org.

CALL THE HOTLINE!

ABOUT VIAC

Vision in Action Cameroon (VIAC) is a youth-led not-for-profit organization that supports and enables adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) and communities in programs and influences change in the areas of Research (Evidence Generation), Advocacy (community mobilization), information & communication. VIAC is committed to feminist principles, using gender transformative and rights-based approaches.

At VIAC we believe that reproductive Health is a fundamental human right of every woman and man throughout her/his life cycle.

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