An Interview with Marthe

“Cameroon is... a country of culture...of resources...Cameroon is also a country of... women activists and young boy activists, also young youth activists... a very warm country... Cameroon is a country where people can feel free.”

Marthe was born in Cameroon and is one of 13 children. In her family there are 8 girls and 5 boys. Her parents sent all of the children to school, even the girls, though some in her town discouraged them from receiving an education. From a young age she was exposed to the harsh realities and expectations of some of the women and girls in her community.

Marthe shared unimaginable stories about the women and girls she has met. She recounts young girls who experience traumatic complications while giving birth due to their size and age. Refugee women who have experienced sexual violence in their homes. Women who have seen their children killed before their own eyes. Women who have endured so much physical and emotional pain from conflict.

Today, Marthe works in child education and child protection, specifically helping the victims of sexual abuse and gender-based violence. In giving voices to these victims, Marthe and other advocates also see that justice is brought to the perpetrators, while providing avenues to mental health support for the victims. She encourages children, especially girls, to attend school and helps families with financial barriers that may prevent girls from getting the education that they deserve.

Marthe is helping to change the idea that young girls should only be educated so that they can be good wives to their husbands in child marriages, but rather that girls can be empowered individuals through their education.

Like other activists in Cameroon, Marthe faces challenges from the crisis occurring in her country. Marthe urges for women to be included at the negotiation table and strives for their voices to be heard in peace efforts.

Speaking with Marthe, she wants the world to know that women in Cameroon are both brave and pushing for change. There are many women in Cameroon at the grassroots level who are joining together to make a platform for peace and advocacy, but unfortunately, they lack the political positions in which they can manifest that change. “The best way to get to peace is dialogue,” says Marthe. “We need also to be heard, we need also to be involved.”