The Network of Women-Led Civil Society Organizations in Cameroon (NEWOLEC) has honoured Women’s Rights Advocate, Peacebuilder, Mediator and Humanitarian leader Dr Omam Esther Njomo with its “Peace Builder Award 2026” in recognition of her years of work promoting peace in Cameroon.
The award was presented to the Executive Director of Reach Out Cameroon at a ceremony marking the end of NEWOLEC’s National Conference on Thursday, August 27, 2026, at the Yaounde Conference Centre.
Dr Omam had been invited to speak at the conference but was unable to attend the award ceremony due to “circumstances beyond my control”.
She later received the award at her hotel in Yaounde from Dr Solange Swiri Tumasang, founder and General Coordinator of NEWOLEC, she said in a statement sent to NewsWatch.
In a message thanking the organisers, the jury and everyone who voted for her, Dr Omam described the award as “a call to keep hope alive”.
“Thank you for believing in the sincerity, integrity and impact of our work. I receive this recognition with humility and a renewed sense of responsibility,” the multi-award-winning peacebuilder said.
She said the journey towards peace was not always easy, as it involved sacrifice, difficult choices, resilience and challenges that often remained unseen.
“Yet, every life restored, every woman empowered, every child protected and every dialogue that brings hope reminds us why we must keep going,” she said.
Dr Omam dedicated the award to her family, women, young people, peacebuilders, partners and communities who continue to believe that peace is possible in Cameroon.
Reflecting on the work of Reach Out Cameroon, she said the organisation had supported more than 2,845,000 lives with hope, care and dignity in just one year before its activities were suspended.
“As I reflect on the more than 2,845,000 lives that Reach Out Cameroon supported with hope, care and dignity in just one year before our suspension, I can only say: hang in there. Though our ability to continue this work has been interrupted, you remain deeply in our hearts,” she said.
Reach Out Cameroon is among four organisations whose activities remain suspended in the country following a government decision announced by the Minister of Territorial Administration (MINAT) in December 2024.
Despite the suspension, Dr Omam said the organisation’s impact remained indelible.
“The impact of compassion, service and solidarity cannot be erased. It lives on in the lives touched and reminds us all that humanity must always come first,” she said.
She pledged to continue serving the country “with courage, compassion and hope”.
