Empowering Women and Strengthening Communities: The Soap and Detergent Project in Bawum-Bafut, Cameroon

Empowering Women and Strengthening Communities: The Soap and Detergent Project at the heart of conflict in Bawum-Bafut, Cameroon.

In the heart of Bawum-Bafut, Cameroon, where the Anglophone conflict has disrupted livelihoods and economic stability, IDECO has launched a transformative initiative—the Soap and Detergent Project. This initiative is not just about equipping women with technical skills; it is about empowering them economically, socially, and politically, enabling them to play active roles in shaping their communities. Through comprehensive training in soap and detergent production, IDECO has created a platform where women can achieve financial independence, promote better hygiene, and strengthen community resilience, even in the face of ongoing challenges.

For many women in Bawum-Bafut, economic opportunities have been limited due to the conflict, making it difficult for them to support their families. Through this project, IDECO has provided a sustainable source of income, allowing women to produce and sell hygiene products. This financial empowerment has enabled them to invest in education, healthcare, and household stability, ultimately improving the overall well-being of their families. The project has not only increased their earning potential but has also fostered self-reliance, ensuring that women are no longer dependent on external assistance. Instead, they have become entrepreneurs, providers, and decision-makers, helping to break the cycle of poverty and create a future filled with opportunities.

Beyond financial benefits, the project has played a crucial role in fostering social cohesion. By bringing women together in a shared learning environment, IDECO has strengthened community bonds, promoting unity, mutual support, and collective responsibility. Women from different backgrounds, some of whom have been deeply affected by the conflict, now work together, forging relationships that transcend ethnic and social divides. In a region where tensions have fractured communities, this initiative has become a catalyst for peacebuilding, demonstrating the power of collective action in overcoming adversity.

The project has also made significant contributions to public health and hygiene. The locally produced soap and detergents have improved access to essential hygiene products, helping to reduce the spread of diseases and promote cleaner living conditions. Through this initiative, women have become ambassadors of hygiene and sanitation, educating their families and communities on proper handwashing and sanitation practices. These efforts have contributed to better health outcomes for the entire community, reducing the prevalence of preventable diseases and enhancing overall well-being.

At the heart of the Soap and Detergent Project is gender equality. For too long, women in Bawum-Bafut have been excluded from key economic and decision-making roles. This project is challenging societal norms by empowering women to become leaders, entrepreneurs, and change-makers. Equipped with financial independence and leadership skills, women are now asserting their rights, advocating for change, and taking active roles in community development. By giving women, the tools to succeed, IDECO is helping to create a more inclusive and equitable society, where women are not only beneficiaries of development but active participants in shaping their own futures.

The Soap and Detergent Project is an initiative that aims to empower women, strengthen communities, and create lasting change. It is directly aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on three main areas: No Poverty, Good Health and Well-being, and Gender Equality. The project creates sustainable income-generating opportunities for women, helping families out of poverty, improving sanitation practices, and reducing the risk of waterborne diseases. It also breaks down gender-based barriers, enabling women to become financially independent and socially empowered. The project also fosters entrepreneurship and self-sufficiency, contributing to the economic growth of the region. It promotes eco-friendly production techniques, ensuring hygiene products are made with sustainable and biodegradable materials.

IDECO is calling on donors, development partners, and well-wishers to support the project, which requires financial, material, and technical resources. By investing in this cause, donors are strengthening entire communities, fostering economic resilience, and promoting peacebuilding efforts in a region that desperately needs it. With collective action and sustained support, IDECO will continue to transform lives, reduce poverty, promote gender equality, and contribute to sustainable development.

< Back to Project

Click to view videos

Click to view gallery >