Interview with Nogning Armelle, CUAPWD (Cameroon)
The Coordinating Unit of Associations of Persons with Disabilities (CUAPWD) was founded on September 2, 2005, and officially recognized in May 2007, with an initial membership of 11 Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs). CUAPWD boasts today a robust network of about 112 OPDS and associations of persons with disabilities across the Northwest Region of Cameroon.
With its vision for an inclusive society in the socio-economic and political lives of all, CUAPWD adopts a holistic approach to improving the lives of persons with disabilities through five key areas of intervention: Economic Empowerment and Livelihood, Social Inclusion, Capacity Building and Empowerment, Research, and Humanitarian Outreach. The support ranges from providing training and counselling services to the realisation of studies, offering essential aid to persons with disabilities in crisis contexts, and engaging in political work.
We had the opportunity to exchange with the board chair of the CUAPWD to learn about their activities, particularly during a time when Cameroon is experiencing a prolonged political crisis that has lasted almost nine years.
Please introduce yourself and your role in your organisation.
I am Nogning Armelle A., a woman with a mobility impairment and a passionate advocate for inclusion. I am a trained Community-Based Inclusive Development (CBID) expert and the Board Chair of CUAPWD. Among my achievements, I have been recognized as the best female leader with disabilities in Cameroon. One of my proudest moments was when Cameroon ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD)
CUAPWD strives to create an inclusive and equitable society for persons with disabilities in the North West Region of Cameroon through economic, social humanitarian and political efforts. The organization is also in the process of expanding to the South West and West Regions of Cameroon, where OPDs have expressed interest in joining the network.
Another highlight was leading persons with disabilities in tree-planting activities across three municipal councils as part of climate change action.
The crisis in Cameroon has been ongoing since 2016—how has it impacted your work?
The ongoing crisis in the Northwest Region since 2016 has significantly impacted our work. Many persons with disabilities have lost their lives, been displaced, or become survivors of sexual and gender-based violence. The insecurity has also slowed down many of our activities, creating numerous setbacks for our efforts.
CUAPWD has especially faced a lot of challenges in advocating for the rights of persons with disabilities such as the resistance from certain groups, fear of being labelled as collaborators with the government, and the risk of being targeted or kidnapped for working in the community. These fears have created additional barriers to our advocacy and service delivery efforts.
What are some innovative ways CUAPWD has adapted to continue working in this crisis?
To adapt and continue serving persons with disabilities during the crisis, CUAPWD has adopted innovative approaches such as leveraging technology for virtual meetings and training, decentralizing activities to safer locations, and strengthening community-based networks to ensure continuity of services. We have also focused on building local partnerships and empowering grassroots organizations to take the lead in areas where access is limited.
Allies and partnerships have been crucial in overcoming challenges. The Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services (CBCHS) has consistently supported our initiatives, along with other organizations that have provided resources, collaboration, and advocacy support.
If CUAPWD could send a message to policymakers in one sentence, it would be to be intentional about including persons with disabilities in all policies and programs".
What do you look forward to for the next five (plus) years for your organisation or disability rights in general?
In the next five years, CUAPWD aims to expand its representation to all 10 regions of Cameroon, establish a multipurpose center for sustainability, and ensure that inclusion becomes a household name for every stakeholder.
If I were to describe the future of disability inclusion in Cameroon in a single word, it would be "promising."
For network members considering partnerships with OPDs, it is crucial to prioritize meaningful participation, ensure accessibility in all initiatives, and adopt a rights-based approach that empowers persons with disabilities as equal partners in decision-making.
Further Resources
If you would like to get in contact or partner with CUAPWD for any activities, you can reach out on Linkedin.