‘Nkumu Fed Fed’ recently held its first international conference in the United States of America.

‘Nkumu Fed Fed’ or “gathering of sisters,” a networking organisation of Bali Nyongha women from Mezam Division in the North West Region, is today an example of what women can achieve by working together. The organisation, which has as overall objective to protect and improve the livelihoods of vulnerable groups, notably women and children in rural communities, was founded in 1982.

Over the years, it has grown in stature and activities, recently holding its first international conference in the United States of America during which the leaders met the Cameroonian Ambassador and US State Department officials. According to Titanji Beatrice, National Vice President of Nkumu Fed Fed, these high-profile visits provided the opportunity for the organisation to effectively speak out for the Cameroonian woman in her drive to contribute to nation-building. “This is a laudable initiative to which the Embassy is committed to lend support,” she cited the Cameroonian Ambassador to the US, His Excellency Foe Atangana, as saying after the meeting.   

Titanji Beatrice described the Nkumu Fed Fed First International Conference in Washington DC as “a milestone experience.” This, she explains, is because it involved the participation of over 55 women delegates from Cameroon.  Over the last 20 years of existence of the network, its annual general meetings have always held in Cameroon. Activities in America included a Fed Fed Young Generation Workshop, A Strategic Planning Workshop, a Partnership Conference, an Annual General Meeting of all members, a Project and Cultural Exhibition by Fed Fed Branches, a grand Gala Night and a Tourist Trip. 

“The outcomes of this conference made it a historic event in the life of the organisation. Diaspora members who rarely attend meetings in Cameroon left more encouraged to support their vulnerable sisters back home and also visit more regularly,” Titanji Beatrice pointed out. Nkumu Fed Fed now has four key development programmes: education, health, securing livelihoods and promoting the rights of women and children. Apart from sensitizing the public against the international trafficking in women, the organisation has also offered scholarships, constructed classrooms, health centres and runs a micro-finance scheme for empowering women.