Cameroonian-born and Founder of Reach Out Cameroon, Esther Omam Njomo shines on the Global Spotlight Scene as she receives the Global Pluralism Award for 2023.
The peace builder, mediator, human rights defender was awarded for her work in mobilising women and youth from Cameroon to advocate for an end to conflict.
The announcement was made October 25, 2023 in Ottawa, Canada by Global Centre for Pluralism, an independent charitable organisation. This was in collaboration with an independent and international jury of experts.
The organisers awarded three winners and seven honourable mentions from 200 submissions across 60 countries after a rigorous review process.
The Global Pluralism Award presented every two years recognises pluralism in action and celebrates the inspiring and brave work helping to build more inclusive societies where diversity is valued and protected.
“This award symbolizes all that I fight for as a woman, a peacebuilder, and a leader in Cameroon, a country where the acceptance of our diversity and plurality can be a solution to our plight” Esther Omam said after receiving the award.
She added that the award was a reaffirmation of the value of the concept “Leave no one Behind”. Emphasising that humanity more than ever before should come first, Omam reiterated that pluralism, everyone could have a voice as our diversity is our bond.
Award Jury Chair and Vice President for Studies at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Dr Marwan Muasher speaking during the event highlighted that the award winners work had enormous value in the world, emphasising that pluralism was not embedded in every society or every country in the world.
“Those who work for pluralism, those who truly believe that diversity is a source of strength and not weakness, need to be acknowledged and celebrated” Dr Marwan said.
Meredith Preston McGhie, Secretary General of the Global Centre for Pluralism on her part noted that “against the current global landscape, recommitting to the values of pluralism is incredibly important”.
Talking about the 2023 Global Pluralism Award winners, he said they were demonstrating that with creativity and courage, advancing pluralism is truly possible. “Their achievements offer so much hope for the future when it is needed most” he said.
Enter Esther Omam
Esther Omam is an award-winning peacebuilder and human rights defender who has spent nearly three decades fostering a culture of peace in Cameroon.
She was one of the leading organizers of the first-ever National Women’s Convention for Peace in Cameroon, which drew over 1,200 women from across the country to demand an end to violence.
From facilitating the participation of women in local and national dialogues to opening a Peace House christened “Esther’s Brave Space” that offers temporary accommodation and counseling to survivors of Gender-Based Violence.
Omam champions pluralism by strengthening communities and uniting voices to call for peace and social cohesion in Cameroon.
She will be recognized at a ceremony to be held in November in Ottawa, Canada. Where she will receive $50,000 (CAD) to further her work in support of pluralism.
About Reach Out Cameroon
Esther Omam’s organization, Reach Out Cameroon, promotes the rights of women and children in conflict-affected areas and advances women’s participation in the peacebuilding process.
It has served over 1,700,000 people in remote communities in the North West and South West regions since the Anglophone crisis started in late 2016.
To amplify women’s voices, strengthen their agency, and draw attention to the impacts of violence and trauma on their communities, Omam established the Southwest/ Northwest Women’s Taskforce.