Not stagnant though stable/alive and vibrant/a movement, not a monument

It started with one person’s dissatisfaction with a situation, it usually starts with one person’s dissatisfaction with statu quo. It spread like fire, got many excited and took them to the action field.

20 years ago, I witnessed it when thousands of women were frustrated with the “dead city” operation which caused unnecessary deaths of unborn babies, pregnant women and those giving birth, later when women stood against gender discrimination in appointments and elections (Ministerial/top government positions, parliament, councils, military), and more recently in the sport domain.

The words and images that come to mind when I hear about “grassroots movement building” include vision, sensitization, challenging the statu quo, desiring something better and rallying others in the field, right there where things are happening, for a joint venture that will produce the desired novelty. Those directly affected have the floor, have a say, can speak into the matter and their voice counts. There is no one person being the brain and the muscles for all, but each and everyone who have a stake has an opportunity to bring their little piece; there is a common goal, a mutually agreed upon destination and itinerary, and concerted moves on the journey. This is a precious approach because for most people, where their heart is, where they have invested ideas, proposals, before their other resources, they bring their best and expect lasting success; therefore, they contribute, preserve, protect, nurture, etc. I have heard on many occasions in the field “they did not think my input was important; inasmuch as they did not seek to involve me at the beginning, they should not invite me to pick the pieces”. Situations may not always be as drastic as this, but the bottom line of the message is “an initiative that expects to be sustainable and inclusive should involve people as early on as possible.

I have not initiated or led a movement yet, but I was privileged to be part of a movement building that started five years ago, in favour of comprehensive planning and integrated projects for the Greater North of Cameroon. Until then, each organization, association, house of faith, group had taken isolated actions in educational, social, economic, political and other domains. Because efforts were scattered and reduced, the impact was limited; it took two years only to speak to each group, discuss about a platform and dream together, and get them on board from the beginning, so that ownership will have deep roots. Breaking habits, integrating the reality that “alone we go fast, together we go far”, dealing with fast actors slow thinkers was not easy; sometimes, we felt like a child eating melted ice-cream with a fork. But this eventually yielded great fruits in terms of collaboration, joint projects, the image of unity before the populations. Through this, I learnt more on patience, perseverance, focus on the goal whatever the realities.

I am new on World Pulse,I have not had connections that impacted the results on the ground, but I have met a community of generous people who eagerly give affirmation, encouragements and ideas.

On the ground, I hope that groups of people working on gender-based violence and those working on development will rally to form a stronger community to support the victims: handling the past, dealing with present and, more importantly, making the future more beautiful. The connections I have will permit me to start building a vision for that crossroad, beyond being part of the civil society.

We are not stagnant though stable, we are not a monument;

We are alive and vibrant, we are a movement;

We will not stop, we will not relent

Until there is a bright smile on every woman’s face.