Reproductive health still remains a major challenge in Cameroon despite the rapid technological advances the world is experiencing. Thus, the media has got a bigger role to play, should perceptions be changed today for a fruitful end tomorrow.
It is against this backdrop, some 40 men and women of the press from 6 different regions of Cameroon were invited by sister speak 237 organization to be trained on how to best report stories on reproductive health in Cameroon which has for decade ,been facing litany of obstacles where it is regarded as a taboo in some communities and sinful by the church .Within the 2 days capacity building workshop rich in content, the participants were schooled on detail information on the choice of words to be used while reporting issues on reproductive health in Cameroon which till date ,still remain a taboo to most cultures and religion.
From university lectures to communication experts and health officials, the message was clear, crusading for a more recognition on the importance of the government of Cameroon to relax abortion laws .According to Comfort Musa coordinator of sisterspeak237 and main organizer of the capacity building workshop, the time is now for a change in the narrative and the manner at which people react to the word abortion but above all, help reduce maternal mortality cases.
Nevertheless, the Canadian commission to Cameroon being a supportive partner in this crusade through Davies Marcus political adviser at Canadian embassy reiterated the importance of such a gathering and urged the participants to use the knowledge derived from the workshop to preach and convince their audiences about the need for a more comfortable society where people could indulge in certain act and not be ashamed to move freely or associate with friends. For sure, the journey to realised this dream may seem far but, the journey of a thousand miles begins with a step. That step has been taken today and hope is looming in the horizon that, a day shall come when Cameroonians including policy makers shall come to realize that, reproductive health issues remain a great concern to the people and allow them to make choices of their own without any iota of fear, to be hunted by the laws of the country .
HENRY WANA
