RESEARCH PROPOSAL OF WOMEN AS MEN IN BOMBE BAKUNDU

WOMEN AS MEN IN BOMBE BAKUNDU, CAMEROON, 1982-2016; AN HISTORICAL TREND OF REVERSING GENDER ROLES

JENKINS DIOMO BETOMBO

                                                         jenkinsdiomo@gmail.com                                                        

betombojenkinsdiomo@yahoo.com

+237671466329

Abstract

The research targeted the women strived in reversing gender inculcated roles in the economic, social and political scenes in Bombe Bakundu. Unraveling the nuanced in active performance and exposing the proxy in unveiling the undocumented and unrecognised abilities, capabilities, initiatives, insentives, creative, and potentials of the women in the quest to foster development and growth as essential elements in the nation building process in Cameroon. Primary and secondary sources were utilised to add more meaning and shaped the stippled central argument of women been much more than what the outside world could possibly comprehend. From the sources in was justified that, the women have taken upon the mantle of authority in dominating the main essential role of the men which was, ‘putting the bread on the table’.  Coupled with other socio-economic and political disciplines of interest, the women have broken the bond of stagnation and relegation perpetuated by social and cultural norms.

Keywords: women, men, comparism, gender, roles, reverse, authority, recognition, misconception.

Background to Study

The concept of gender has been an important focal point of interest in relation to social, economic and political issues at international debate scenes. From a historical perspective, women and men have lived side by side to justify their very existence and abilities to deal and relate to the environment. Pre-historic evidence and arguments justified the series of positions held by men and women in the society. The facts signified that the men (male sex) had impounding power of authorisation and were always at the helm of mainly political issues. Aspects concerning decision making was very much dominated by the men with little or no recognition of the worth of the women in several ethnic groups in Africa. In the African continent, women were responsible mainly for providing food for the household, perform domestic and marital duties, and care for the children. Such actions have transcended over time as some ethnic groups in Sub Saharan Africa like the Muslims communities of northern Cameroon, Nigeria, Chad and Niger did not provide women to access and exercise certain rights of representation in social and economic analysis as well as decision making processes.

The development of different mindsets in gender related matters in West Africa has also exposed the lapses and errors of the past which conceived mentalities of relegating women to the bottom of the desk. The pre-colonial period set the space within which such ideologies were vividly plausible indicating that, gender inequality was a course of no attention but of certainty. The women performed the triple roles of reproduction, production and community provision while the men graced their abilities of divine authorisation. This situation in many parts of West Africa was generally different. Women opportunities were centred in the stages of production.

Conversely, some of the women were relegated to domestic chores during the colonial era because of a new economic superstructure that projected men to the limelight. Many women, who continued to engage themselves in economic activities, observed that these activities were systematically deformed and devalued. The Few transitions in men and women output and recognisance received priorities in the colonial era, where, the colonialists gave certain jurisdictions and duties to the women. It is of significance that women have operated and responded to all the segments of lifeworks, that is, they have worked as labourers, farmers, mothers, administrators, spiritual leaders, nurses, healer, etc.

The abilities, capabilities and initiatives of the women also gingered their intentions, ambitions, emotions, and actions towards the maintenance of societal peace, development and growth in Cameroon. Some perceptions and conceptions of women have shared dreams of building the nation side by side with their male counterparts despite the pressure inserted by traditional, cultural and unforeseen forces towards their status. Such recession in social and cultural values remained a significant conundrum to the extensive creative minds and activities of the women in realising set objectives and world. however, the women in rural and urban areas  in the south west region have stressed on reforms in the economic, social, and political sectors which were justified by their actions of been essential for national integration and unity necessary for nation building and emergence to be ensured and why not realised.

The post independent epoch simplified and unveiled the worth of women as compared to their male counterparts in relation to welfare and decision making in the Meme Division could not be over emphasised of been overwhelming. In all the sector of societal existence, women continuous relevance had sprang up and pushed the men into a state of pogrom and resilience in recognition. The economic field saw the transitions in women ideologies, management and decision making. For instance, as the men conceived the notion of the dominated agricultural production of crops like cocoa, rubber and coffee to be cash products (products with high currency values), so has women inculcate the concept of products like plantains, melon, groundnuts and maize(known as food products) of been cash crops. On a wider platform, women also engaged in the production of so called cash crop products in a commercial scale. They provided the much needed labour in production, transportation and commercialisation.

The level within which women operations manifested added much credence to the broad spectrum of women’s gender relevance to societal economic, social, cultural and political sectors. Their activities were vividly plausible in state run, family owned and private farmlands, property management, commercialisation, advertisement, voicing the voiceless, and party-politics. Thus the parlance, “what a man can do , a woman can do even better”, must be fully assessed to grace the use of the female sex in conventional and regional development schemes. In this dimension, the Mbonge Sub-Division has always held the women at rural communities in high esteem because of their relentless abilities and contributions to rural community development in the political and socio-economic domains.

 The Bakunduland have tremendously hailed the active participation of the women at micro and macro levels of household, community and national growth. This essential aspect gingered the researcher to deepen mind on the evolution and transitions in the ideological concept nature and norms had impounded on gender and evidentially justify the disciplinary worth of women in shouldering the activities previously shared by fabricated norms and perspectives. The contributions of the women would also be of keen interest to social development and growth and nation building. Other relevant aspects not taken into recognisance to justify the insentives, creative, and explosive services of the women would be analysed. Women, be it at rural or urban environments have always been much more than what the outside world could possible comprehends.

Rural women in Bombe Bakundu have worked out strategies to unravel their marvelous domination of household welfare, rural and national economic development and growth. The rural women have reflected their images on the mirror of been the icons and backbones of the rapid nation building process. Their activities have sited and placed arguments to justify and clear the misconception of relegating women to the duck. Rising above their shoulders, the men have realised that the women are beyond the descriptions of previous theories and concepts of stagnant positions and gendered division perspectives. This explained why the rural women in Bombe Bakundu have knelt beneath the women with the justification that, “it is only a woman that can give birth to real and powerful men”.

 In this platform, the women have succeeded in reversing gender roles and press for the recognition of their original value and place in political, economic and social scenes as they have dominated the main role of the men which was, ‘putting the bread on the table’. In this dimension, women over the years have hitherto carried out the works that were performed by the men. In this platform the researcher has centred interest on women as men in Bombe Bakundu, Cameroon, 1982-2016; an histotical trend of reversing gender roles.The strength of the research was gingered by the problem and needs to be tackled and reformed.

Statement of the Problem

There is no doubt that the men and women of rural communities played essential roles in the political, economic and social activities necessary for nation building in Cameroon. But, there exist a gap and misconception in the interpretation of the worth of the women in conventional and regional economic, social and political analysis of their effective roles and contributions to societal development and growth as compared to the men. This explained while, the men are always regarded as the main force and often the sole focus of interest in fostering, rural, regional and national development and growth. However, the objectives relate the framework and actions of the research.

Objective of the Study

This research simply intends to redefine the position of the women as the main driving force in enhancing societal, welfare, development and growth which are essential elements of nation building. Apart from the general objective, there are as specific aims as outlined;

-The research aims at examines the environmental setting of the area under study

- To analyse the triple roles of the women in nurturing, breeding and nursing future generations.

-To examine the economic, social, and political roles of the women in fostering rural, regional, and national development and growth.

- To comparative analyse the contributions of men and women in enhancing nation building

-To examine the strategies utilise by the women to conform to the transitions and evolutions of the community

-To examine the activities and responsibilities performed by the men which are now been shouldered by the women in Bombe Bakundu

- To assess the degree and magnitude of women’s activities in enhancing rural and urban economic development and growth.

-To examine and improve on the status of women destroyed by social and cultural norms in Bombe Bakundu community

- To debunk the mind growing insentives of women been inferior to the men in all human active sectors. However, the objectives have justified the significances in a wider spectrum.

Significance of the Study

            The gravity within which the research unveils the arguments would be relevant to governmental institutions such as the lower and upper houses in the directing and shaping the formation and declaration of laws and bills concerning gender and feminism. This research redefined the position and recognition of the worth rural women in kombating the worst economic, social and political recessions of the African nations in particular and world in general. The responsibilities and contributions of the women at rural communities to the development and growth has been the outermost justification of the research. The research has also released the capabilities, abilities, initiatives, insentives, and motives of the rural women of Bombe Bakundu in enhancing nation building. The ministries would also benefit from the research.

            The research has related pertaining issues concerning decision making which would be of significance to the government political administrations. Ministries involved such as women and the family, agriculture and rural development, employment and regional development and small, youth and civic education, and medium size enterprises would gain adequate knowledge on the meaningful strengthen decisions made by rural women to enhance development in the rural and urban communities. The positivity of decisions has made rural women press for effective representation in political issues of welfare, development and growth of the society. The participation in decision making process in households and communities issues had played the rural women at the hearts of ministries policies and direct action implementations.

            The relevance of rural women’s involvements in economic, social and political sectors directs and painted the broad picture of the state and nature of the rural communities and life style. This would be of great significance to researchers, scholars and intellectuals as secondary research works provide and insights into critical assessments and analysis of facts and evidence. While setting the pace and unveiling the hidden miseries and misconceptions conceived about the affairs of rural women in the grass root communities.  The grass root communities had always been the most targeted areas of research since as the environment reflected the original format and forms of the originality of the African society. On an important note, the local and traditional administrations would benefit from knowledge provided by the research.

            The local and traditional authorities have been on the platform of gaining more knowledge on the developments of rural women’s livelihoods and affairs in rural communities. The world established by women in the rural communities revealed the notions and justifications of uplifting the women’s retrenchments to the desk. The traditional authorities would gain knowledge and tabled the growing worth of the rural women and adapt while reversing social and cultural norms upheld and implanted by the old generations. This has made the local and world to note that, women at the rural communities are much more than what their male counterparts, traditions and cultures could possibly comprehend. However, the women themselves and their male counterparts have realised that feminisation in every aspects and sectors of human’s relationship with the environment and nature’s principles  remains a priority to sustainable welfare ,development and growth as essential ingredients of nation building.

            The women and men in rural communities would also gain knowledge on the evolutions and transitions of the society which have unveiled the real advanced hidden potentials of the women in modern times as compared to the previous decades before modernisation. The gender status of women in the early eras of modernisation had been fixed and setting even before female children were delivered. Such permanent and stagnation scenarios witnessed an extra-ordinary transformations gingered by awareness and education. With this development, the men had welcomed the changes which saw the massive growth in women’s involvement in economic, social and political issues and by this, needs to grant the official and real status of women in high esteem. Therefore, apart from adding to the scholarly works of women in various field studies in Cameroon, the visibility of women’s activities which aimed at reversing gender roles and authorities could be found in the trends in which the arguments were chronologically directed to justify the theoretical and conceptual framework. Thereby, adding more clarification rectifying the confused misconceptions and conceived norms and doctrines. s

Theoretical/Conceptual Frame Work

            The theoretical frame work of this research is base on three approaches. That is, Women in Development, Women and Development, and Gender and Development. The approch, Women and development centred on theories like women empowerment propagated by Longwe, a gender expert from Lusak Zambia, also elaborates on the foundation through which the research will be based on providing justifications to support the theory. Longwe advocates empowerment and an increase in women’s share in resources, land, employment and income. This women empowerment theory exposed the noton of practical and strategic gender needs into a progressive hierachy. It also shows that empowerment is an essential element of development and enables assesment of interventions alond this criterion not leaving a strong political perspective aimed to change attitudes.

            This empowerment theory of the women was also set forth by Eleonora Masini with aid from other framework on gender and development. On the basis of theoretical framework, Simon Ernestine, Lucie Marie, Betrand De Beavoire setforward the theory of Cultural Dualism. Betrand De Beavoire in her book, The 2^nd Sex published in 1949, discussed relevant issues concerning women values and opportunities not leaving the manner of treatment. In this framework, Beavoire gave a detailed analysis of women oppression. This became a foundational track for contemporary feminism. In a chapter 'Myth and Reality' of the 'Second Sex', Beavoire maintained that men had made women ''the others'' in the society by putting a false ora of ''mystry'' around them. She argued that men used this as an excuse not to understand women or their problems and not to help them and that this steriotyping was always done in societies by the group higher in hierachy to the group lower in hierachy. Men stereotyped women and used it as an excuse to arrange the society into a pietrachy.

            In the contex ot enforcing the theoretical approaches for an indepth understanding of the direction the researcher would utilised in the research. The gender and development theoretical approach enacted by Kwesi Prah et al, advocates a focus on equal power relations between the men and the women. Also it focuses on the social constructed basis of differences between the men and women and emphasis the need to challenge existing gender roles and relations. This work takes all the roles and relations of the women and provides the base with which recognition was and is to be emphasised on women and development.The theoritical frame work also diagnosed the Gender Planning Framwork developed by Caroline Moser as a tool for Gender annalysis in development planning. The framework holds that women need to be freed from the subbordination so that they can achieve equality, equity and empowerment.

            Digesting Women and development theoretical approach instigated by Amartya Sen et al gives an insight on the approach to integrate into economic development by focusing on women’s productive work. It is associated with the wide range of activities concerning women in the development domain which donor agencies, governments, and Non-Government Organisations have been al involved since the 1970s. It is in this direction that the researcher targets the women’s abilities and responsibilities in societal development. This was also enforced by the 1975 World Conference of the international Women’s World at Mexico and UN decade for Women 1976 -1985 which gave the expression to the major pre-occupation of the women around the world.

            Improve educational and employment opportunities, equality and social participation, increase in health and welfare services. Thereby, establishing favourable conditions for women in development. The women in development approch that emerged during this period demanded social justice and equality for women. On these bases, the research drew stands in the socio-economic dealings with the environment, and male counterparts. From all these theories, the historical research would bring to lamplight clear justifications on the position and relevance of the women in the socio-economic analysis. Thereby adding more support to the ideologies of the theories and the conceptual framework.

            Based on conceptual framework on this socio-economic field, the main concept which also cut across the theories to be brandished will be development and growth. Development in this research aims to establish social structures and of institutions like the family, traditional authorities, and other economic structures such as labour organisations both formal and n formal . Economic development is assumed to be the key to the improvement of wellbeing of both women and men. For every development program or project is gendered in nature, its assumptions, goals, implementation, and impact. Growth and welfare as concepts in these perspectives are the improvements in all aspects of the societies shown in the scope of the area under study. It is from this direction that the research has been based.

Scope and Delimitation

Geographically, the research is limited to Bombe Bakundu in the Bakunduland. In the Bakunduland which is divided in to geographical sections(lower and upper), Bombe Bakundu is found in the lower section which is located in Mbonge Sub-Division, Meme Division, of the South West Region of Cameroon. The Bombe Bakundu municipality is bounded by Banga Bakundu to the north, Mbalngi Ekombe to the south, Bopo and Pete Bakundu to the west and kaka Bokoko to the east. Meanwhile on the historical scope, specific epochs were used to unfold the manifestations of the events that characterised the work. 

Based on the historical scope, the research in terms of time frame covered the period from 1960-215.  The year 1960 was chosen because; it was around this time that women farmers of Bombe Bakundu started intensive commercial scale of food crop production and provided the much needed labour and responsibi9lities to household and community needs as most of the men tend to migrate to urban centers. The year 2015 was chosen because; it was around this period that the women were recognised to be associates and partners of the household welfare, economic development and growth of the rural and national community in respect to the national emergence vision . This period saw the mechanisms of the women in their economic activities in the community.

In the period before 2015, the women of Bombe Bakundu operated their agricultural and other economic activities with the use of primary methods for instance, the women farmers made small beds and ridges to nurse food crops like vegetables, tomatoes, pepper and coco yams. This was done around their area of residence before their products were transferred to their farmlands. The women were noticed of been the bread winners, who provided for the families, communities, national and international economies.

The year 2015, marked a turning point in the experimentation of (food crops) by the women farmers. New and improved methods of ensuring the survival of food products to kombat the rapid growing food insecurity, malnutrition and poverty included the application of compost manure and fertilisers to boast production. Such transformation coupled with domestic and reproductive responsibilities of the women has increased the quality and quantity of agricultural products to the extent that the local market could not absorb the quantity of agricultural products (both food and cash crops). This paved the way for intensive external trade.

Huge number traders came to the local market every market day with the intension of purchasing and other products in huge quantities for their markets elsewhere in the country. This however, this unraveled the women effort to shape the rural and national economies with new breeds. The women activities in Bombe Bakundu exposed concepts such as welfare, production, transformation, commercialisation, development, labour and many others. These concepts described the activities of the women of Bombe Bakundu in their strived to enhance changes and continuity recorded over the years within the time frame and delimitation.

In terms of delimitation, the research would have loved to include the entire communities of the Bakunduland, but the work only includes the Bombe Bakundu municipality. This is because; the municipality severed as the center of economic activities in the entire Bakunduland with the production of intensively performed. Other Bakundu communities like Mabonji, kake Bongwana and Bokoko, Nake Bongwana and Bokoko did not engage in intensive production and so, did not provide the relevant information on the activities of the women. But, informations that were found relevant in some Bakundu communities like Banga Bakundu were depicted with guidance from literatures.

Literature Review

Though not much has been written on the women of Bombe Bakundu, there are few sources of work in women in agriculture and household maintenance that were relevant to the current research.

Charlotte, O’kelly, Women and Men in Society,(Newyork: D.Van Nostrand Company, 1980),p.32. The work examined labour as the main focus of agricultural and societal production and development. The author examined the labour force of the women as the only contribution of the production of agricultural products as they performed most of the farming operations which ensured high yields for households and community needs. This study is relevant to the current research because it indicates the relevant aspect required by the women of Bombe Bakundu to produce cash and food products for household, and communities in a commercial scale. the current research is different and innovative in that it does not only focus on the labour provided by the women as compared tom their male counterparts but also on the various mechanisms initiated buy the women in conformation to the changes and evolution in the society. Also exposing the fact of who bears the burden in household and societal development.

Sonya Salamon, Women And Resources Control, (Boulder: Westview, 1988),p.22. The work analysed the struggle of the women in getting hold of resources necessary for enforcing better living standard and development of rural and national communities. The author brandished the women’s ability of controlling the resources and factors of production for effective socio-economic development. The research is relevant to the current research in that, it exposed the capabilities of the women in managing the natural resources for effective socio-economic boom. And it is different from the current research in that, it did not sample justifications of aftermath of women’s capabilities of controlling the resources at their disposals. The current research is relevant in that, it unveils expertise of the women in resource control while limiting the risk in destroying the ecosystem.

Esther Boserup, Women’s Role at Economic Development, (Rome: St Martin’s Press Inc, 1970),p.211-226. This work focused on the mechanisms and innovations implemented by women to ensure economic and social recognition in the quest of improving on the welfare and development of the population and the economy of the state. The author examined women’s involvement in agricultural activities seen and conceived as the main economic activity that sustains livelihoods. By sampling the roles played by the women in agricultural production, the work unveiled its relevance to the current research as it made it vividly plausible that, women were at the center of healthy living and welfare of households.  The current research remained innovative but different with the work in that, it did not only focus on the abilities and capabilities of women to ensure economic development but also unraveled the potentials of the women in ensuring economic growth in the community of Bombe Bakundu.

Helen O’Connell, Women and the Family, ( London: Zed Books ltd,1994),p.22. This work analysed the roles enforced by women in enhancing household welfare and social relation with the public. The author highlighted the mechanisms and duties performed by women in the quest to ensure better living standard and economic development of communities.  The author also addressed the social efforts implemented to battle with social recessions that affected household and community affairs. This work is relevant to the current research as it dealt with socio-economic issues and attempted efforts put in place to remedy setbacks especially at the social domain. The current research remains important as it also reflected the activities of the women farmers in reversing gender roles and taking the center stage of decision making in the households and community.

Terri and Gustavo. The Role of Women in Agriculture. ESA Working Paper. No.11, 7th March 2011.p.7-22. This paper examined labour as the main point of concentration in of the women farmers in their agricultural production.  The writers examined the labour force of the women as the only contribution to the production of agricultural products as they perform most of the farming operations which ensured high yields. This study is relevant to the current research as it dealt with the labour which was an important aspect required by the women to produce and other food crops in a small and large scale. The current research is different and innovative because it focused not only on the labour provided by the women farmers in their agricultural production but also on the different farming systems, techniques, and innovations used by the women farmers in the production of and other products in Bombe Bakundu.

Margrate Snyder, African Women and Development: A History, (London: Zed Books Ltd, 1995),pp.22-23. The work gave a general framework of women’s participation in ensuring sustainable development. The author brandished justifications on the effective participation of women in development from the Pre-Colonial era to the Post-Independent. The research is relevant to the current research in that it traced the women participation in societal development over the years. The current research is different and relevant because it also provide and insight on the changes and continuity of women participation in the economic development over the time frame.

Raphina Phillott, A Profile of the Roles Women as Economic Producers and Family Supporters, (Dakar: UNESCO, 1994),p.36-48. The work works out the roles of women and responsibilities they bear in fostering economic and social development. The author unraveled the effective participation of women in the various sector as the producers and supporters of family and societal needs. The research is relevant to the current research in that, it provided then base through which the women operated in meeting up with societal and family needs. The current research is relevant in that it does not only tackle the fact that the women were economic producers and supporters of family and community needs but also providing the much needed  labour in production , family and societal activities that were performed by the men. Thereby, reversing gender roles.

.

Michael Kevane, Women And Development in Africa: How Gender Works ,(Boulder: Lynne Riener Publishers, 2004),p.19. This work sampled the contributions of women in development in African societies. The author examined the practical mindset and innovation inserted in order to show the different ways in which the women and men operate in the society. This research is relevant to the current research in that, it provided a wide mirror of which the activities of the women can be visible and examined independently before evaluating it with the activities of the men. The current research is different and relevant in that it does not only sample the contributions of the women of Bombe Bakundu but also provide a broad spectrum of the women activities through which credit can be awarded not only in the society development but also the management of household and breeds of the younger generation.

D.Mcall, Trade and the role of a wife in modern African Town, (Oxford University Press: London, 1959),pp.1-16. This work examined trade as the most visible socio-economic activity of women in post-independent Africa. The author set forth justifications of the level and magnitude with which women were operating their activities in commercial avenues and households as household and economic agents. The work is relevant to the current research as it justified the importance of women in fostering household and economic development of rural and urban communities. The current research is different and innovative in that, it deeply brought out evidence to justify the relevance of the women to the rural and urban communities and also placed the women of Bombe Bakundu at the center of economic development and growth of rural and national economies.

Henry Kam Kah , “Socio-Cultural Groupings and the Gender Phenomenon in Local Elections in Cameroon since the 1990s”. Working document,University of Buea, Cameroon, pp.1-11. This work examined the influence of social ethnic groups in the political evolution of Cameroon. The author examined the influences of women organisations which dominated most of the socio-cultural ethnic groups in the electoral scene of determining the future of the nation. The work is relevant to the current research as it dealt with the might of the women in meeting up their aspirations. The current research is relevant as it also dealt with the  women smuggle utilise their organisations for economic purposes.

Henry Kam Kah, “Jeunesse Active pour Chantal Biya (JACHABY)/Cercle des Amis du Cameroun(CERAC) and Femocracy in 21st Century Cameroon”.African Nebula,7,2014,p.114-128.This work examined the political evolution and women participation in the political scenarios. The author sampled arguments on the positions held by women which justified their participation in the decision making process of issues concerning nation development and integrity with attributes from women organisations and youths. The work is relevant to the current research as it looked at issues on women involvement in decision making for sustainable development. The current research is relevant and innovative as it dealt with manifestation of women’s authority in the economic and social domains.

Fondo Sikod, “Gender Division of Labour and Women’s Decision-Making Power in Rural Households in Cameroon”.Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa, XXXII (3), 2007, pp. 58–71. The work stressed on the different roles played by the women and men in their activities to ensure economic development and social cohesion in Cameroon. The author pressed on augments that there are specific roles played by women despite their states in the socio-economic domains and additional burden in the domestic sector. The arguments also characterised the women of the rural areas in to three types, that is, the divorced, married, wedlock (single head), and contract. The economic activities and decision making abilities of these types of women differ in the entire situations they found themselves while bent to perform the essentials like enhancing food products for the households much more to the detriment of export crops (cash crops). The work is relevant to the current research as it discussed pertinent issues relating to food product and the role of the women in agricultural production which was important element of the current research. The current research is relevant in that, it did not only devoured the position of women in managing and ensuring household welfare in their socio-economic activities but also the policies and strength put in place by the women to bridge the gender gap in decision making in the political, economic and social domains for sustainable economic development and growth of households and the rural and national territories.

Teke Johnson Takwa, Differences between the Socio-Economic Characteristics of Male and Female Household Heads and their Households in Cameroon (Yaounde, Cameroon: BUCREP, 2002)1-20. This work examined the parameters that determined the structures which characterised the male and female headed households in Cameroon. The author examined the characteristics of male and female headed households which made them distinct and operational and manageable in a completely diverse strategy with diverse consequences on the households and community. The work is relevant to the current research in that, it dealt with different strategies and decisions implemented by the women in order to provide for the family and manage the household. The current research remain relevant in that, it consumed and exposed the important skills of the garri women of Bombe Bakundu in reversing gender roles to ensure household  welfare, economic development and growth of the rural and national economies.

 The work is relevant to the current research in that, it sampled justifications of children’s welfare in households and academics and the powers of decision making between the men and women in a gender perspective. The current research remain relevant as it deduced the strength of the garri women farmers in ensuring ethical and educational development of their children both in government and private academic institutions for better well being and  nation building.

Johannes Tabi Atemnkeng, “Household-level Social Capital in Cameroon and Children’s Schooling: A Gender Analysis”.Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa, XXXV (4), 2010, pp. 211–236.  This work analysed the degree through which household budget is been managed and utilised to enhance children’s academic development in Cameroon. The author reflected the responsibilities of parents, be it single or double headed households to ensure better education for their seedlings through the level of capital they budgeted for academic. The author went further to demonstrate that the magnitude and availability of social capital determined the type and kind of institutions the children attend.

The work is relevant to the current research in that, it digest issues concerning household management and the ability of household budget to determine the educational facilities and training of children. The current research remain different and relevant in that ,it did not only deduce children’s schooling capabilities and amenities but also the abilities and potentials of the garri women of Bombe Bakundu in nursing future generations that would foster the socio-economic and political development and growth of the rural and national territory.

Annett Fleischer, “Family, obligations, and migration: The role of kinship in Cameroon”. Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, 16,(13), 8 May 2007 ,P 413-440. This work looked at the decision making and contributions of kinship in determine the trend of migration in Cameroon and beyond. The author brought out justifications of family rights and influences in fostering the migration of their loins. The author went further to demonstrate that family kins influence the migration decisions through their moral and financial contributions. The work is relevant to the current research as it dealt with important facts concerning migration and the motives behind the movement of people from one place to another. The current research is important as it stressed on the essential economic issues which cajoled garri women of Bombe Bakundu to migrate in order to ensure family economic development and nation building.

Bame Nsamenang, Fathers, Families, & Child Well-Being in Cameroon:A Reviewof the Literature,(Bamenda, Cameroon: National Center on Fathers and Families, 2000),p.1-17.  This work digested arguments set forth by other writers to justify their view points on the role performed by men as fathers to ensure family economic development and well being in Cameroon. The author examined the diverse activities enforced and encouraged by the parents to ensure better living conditions for their families from different viewpoints and arguments. The work is relevant to the current research as it brought forth synthesised justifications of the relevance of fathers in battling for families well being. The current research is different and innovative in that ,it did not only digest the activities of  the men as fathers to ensure better living standard but also the role of the garri women of Bombe Bakundu in kombating rural poverty, malnutrition and food insecurity which affects the well being of children and families.

Francis Menjo Baye and Samuel Fambon, “ Linking Parental Education, Child Health and Economic Well-being in Cameroon”.  Paper Presented at the Centre for the Study of African Economies (CSAE) Conference, at St Catherine’s College, Oxford, 22-24 March, 2009, 2 quato page found among ‘Introduction”. This paper analysed pertinent aspect of the relevant of education on folks and the manner in which they handled social and economic issues of their children and households in Cameroon. The author touched the impact of exposition on parent’s abilities to handle issues of the health care and economic wellbeing of their children and households.

The work is relevant to the current research as it washed issues concerning child health and economic well being which are important point of interest of the garri women of Bombe Bakundu in their strive to enhance better family well being. The current research remains important as it sampled evidence of garri women’s involvement in social and economic activities and services for the welfare and development of households, the rural community and the state of Cameroon.

Gérard Tchouassi, “Genre et commerce équitable au Cameroun”.Conseil pour le développement de la recherche en sciences sociales en Afrique, XXXII, (1), 2007, p.145–160. This discussed the commercialisation from a gender perspective in Cameroon. The author examined the level and weight with which men and women were involved in fair trade. The trading influences and the market social relations were essential notes highlighted with justification of women securing and ensuring equitability in world commercial trade and recognition in terms of negotiations as their male counterparts. The work is relevant to the current research as it dealt with issues concerning gender and commerce which happened to be essential figures in the current research. The current research is different but remains relevant as it, exposed the initiatives and strategies devised by the women of Bombe Bakundu to foster the cultivation and distribution of their products and at the same time reducing male dominance and influences in the economic and socio-political domains of the rural and national territories.

Bime MJ and Mbanasor J, “Determinants of informal savings amongst vegetable farmers in North West Region, Cameroon”. Journal of Development and Agricultural Economics, 3(12), 26 October, 2011, pp. 588-592. This work analysed the motives guiding vegetable farmers in the North West Region of Cameroon to reserve income earn from the commercialisation of vegetable for unforeseen moments and development. The author highlighted that, savings made by the vegetable farmers sustained their continuous production in extremely large quantities and providing the basic needs of the households and community. This work is relevant to the current research as it diagnosed pertinent issue related to the maintenance of social welfare in the rural and urban communities. The current research is different and relevant as it did not only deal with the savings of revenue by the garri women from the commercialisation of garri but also digest the actions of the garri women in remunerating gender held mindsets in the economic and political domains.

Walter Gam Nkwi, “MEN STAY AT HOME WHILE WOMEN MOVE OUT: NEW TRENDS OF MOBILITY TO CHINA AMONGST BAMENDA GRASSFIELD WOMEN (CAMEROON)”.Modern Africa: Politics, History and Society, 2(1), 2014, pp.95-113. This work examined the migratory trends of women in the grass field in order to meet their aspirations. The authorexamined the indepth degree within which women got involved in the foreignactivities for the purposeof providing fortheir families. The work is relevant to the current research as it dealt with issues concerning the length and width which women undergone to secure and maintain their authority as bread winners. The current research is relevant and different as it digested aspects meant to justify the insentives and impact of the garri women to the rural community of Bombe Bakundu and neighbouring communities.

 of Women Rice Producers in Ndop, Cameroon and the Implications for Gender Roles”. Journal of International Women’s Studies, 8 (4), 2007,p. 133-147. This work examined two sided coins of progress and recessions witnessed by the Women Rice Producers in their economic and social activities in Ndop, Cameroon. The author analysed the outcome of women empowerment as rice producers in the financial and decision making domains and the impact on households. A comparative analysis was targeted to deduce the essence of the bold steps and setbacks encountered by the women rice producers as economic and household agents. The work is relevant to the current research as it painted the picture of the work load of women as economic and domestic agents. The current research is different and important in that, it did not only exposed views on the economic activities of the garri women farmers of Bombe Bakundu in their effort to battle rural poverty but also the socio-political activities of the garri women in the course to provide for the rural and national territory. 

Nchinju Eric, “The Garri Industry in Baligham: A Socio-Economic Survey, 1960-2000”. Unpublished Long Essay, University Of Buea, July 2009, p.20-32. This work centered discussions and arguments on the magnitude of cassava cultivation for garri in the rural area of Baligham in the North West region of Cameroon. The author examined the intensity and reliability of the rural population on garri production over the decades. The work is relevant to the current research as it provided an inside upon the processes involved in cassava production for garri that was undergone by the rural farmers. The current research is different and relevant in that, it did not only focused on the stages involved in the production of  cassava and garri but also digested the evolutions and transitions recorded over the past decades in enhancing the development and growth of the garri industry, the population and the community of Bombe Bakundu.

Mark W. DeLancey, “Women's Cooperatives in Cameroon: The Cooperative Experiences of the Northwest and Southwest Provinces”. African Studies Review, 30(1) March, 1987, pp. 1-18. This work analysed the level with which women’s cooperatives manifested and impacted the lives of the women and their folks in Cameroon. The author elaborated on the abilities of women’s cooperatives to organise and set forth goals that gingered their interest in respect to their agricultural productions. The work is relevant to the current research as it digested survival strategies put in place by the (garri) women in order to ensure better living standards. The current research is different but relevant as it, unveiled the initiatives cajoled by the garri women of Bombe Bakundu to conform to family and community expectations while assuring respect to their existence as providers of the family and the state.

Joseph B. Ebune, THE GROWTH OF POLITICAL PARTIES IN SOUTHERN CAMEROONS,1916-1960,(Yaounde;CEPER, 1992),p.36. The work examined the growth of political organisations in the Southern part of Cameroon. The author stated justifications on the trends, motives and manifestations of these political parties’ intentions and strives to achieve their interest in the political arena. The work is relevant to the current research as it; provide geographical and historical economic justifications on the changing trends of events which unfolded. The current research remains different and relevant as it consumed and elaborates on the strength of the garri women organisations in an economic perspective.

Ejedepang Koge, Tradition and Change in Peasant Activities: A Study of the Indigenous People Search for Cash in the South West Province of Cameroon, (Virgina: Arc Alexandria, 1975), p.34. This work exposed the different farming activities, new framing techniques and modes involved in the production of agricultural products at different seasons. The author sampled the new farming technique that emerged during the period such as terrace farming to improve on the use for higher income. The research is relevant to the current research in that, it elaborates on some innovations implemented by the garri women farmers in the different operations. The current research is different but remains relevant in that it will provide and inside on the different farming mechanisms enacted by the garri women to kombat poverty and food insecurity.

Joseph B.Ebune, “Contributions of Self-Help Associations to the Growth and Development of British Southern Cameroons, 1922-1962: A Historical Perspective”. Epasa Moto: A Balingual Journal of Art, Letters and Humanities, 2(1), March 2004, p59-77. This work dealt with the strength of associations in fostering national in British Southern Cameroons administered under the League of Nations and United Nation Organisation as mandated and trust territories respectively. The author sampled the socio-political activities of prominent associations like Old Boys’ Association in order to conform to their objectives.  The work is relevant to the current research as it discussed relevant issues such as the principles behind the formation of organisations to protect their interest. The current research is different and relevant as it did not only digest garri women organisations but also reiterate the extent undergone to achieve household, and community economic development and growth.

Lotsmart Fonjong, “Challenges and Coping Strategies of Women Food Crops Entrepreneurs in Fako Division, Cameroon”. Journal of International Women’s Studies,5(5), June 2004, pp.1-17. This work dealt with aspects of obstacles and mechanisms implemented by women to enhance their role as food providers in Cameroon. The author sampled evidence to justify the notion that women food entrepreneurs influence the cost of living and living standard in the Country with reflections on their ways of production and the means to override their constraints. This work is relevant to the current research as it focused on aspects which determined the level of economic development in households, the rural and national communities. The current research is different but remains relevant in that, it provide a broad spectrum on the activities of the garri women of Bombe Bakundu to enhance social welfare and cohesion.

Joseph Ebune Betoto, “Missionary Activity in Bakunduland, Cameroon, 1873-1960: An Historical Appraisal”. Global Advanced Journal, 2(5), 2012, p. 6 -14. The work gave an appraisal of the economy of Bombe Bakundu which was mainly agriculturally orientated. In this work, the author analysed the different farming techniques introduced by the European missionaries to the farmers in order produce food products to feed the Christian population. The work is relevant to the current research as it addresses some of the farming techniques used by the garri women in the labour donation system which characterised the society. The current is different and relevant in that it provides an appraisal of the economic history, the strengths of farming techniques and cooperation labour organisations put in place by the garri women in order to ensure family and society sustainability.

            Joseph B. Ebune, “Colonial Rule and Bakundu Traditional Authority”. International Journal of History and Cultural Studies (IJHCS, 1,(2), 2015, P. 10-16. This work centered arguments on the nature and structure of Bakundu traditional administration. The author examined the trends with which the Bakundu traditional authority operated on the German colonial rule after annexation with specific emphasis on the political organs activities in managing the socio-economic and political affairs of the communities. The work is relevant to the current research as it reiterates the ways through which the traditional authority managed the affairs of their subjects while providing the nature of the traditional economy over the decades. The current research remains relevant as it examined the main economic and political activities of the garri women in their struggle for gender equality in the socio-economic and political analyses and also household and community development.

Timothy Musima Okia, “Social Developments in Bakundu during German Colonial Rule in Cameroon: 1884-1914”.Przeglad Zachodni, 1, 2014,P.179-188. The work examined the degree of developments in the social domain and the relations between the Bakundus and the German officials and administration. The author sampled issues concerning education and the Christian religion which were the essential elements of missionary activities in the Bakunduland. The work is important to the current research as it digest aspects relating to the Christian religion which shaped minds towards the ways of good deeds while abandoning other negative social ills. The current research is relevant as it set forth the impact of the garri women Christian faith and religion to the young generation in the quest to build a favourable civil society free from negative socio-economic and political setbacks.

Ewane Basil Ewane, Ewane Bertrand Olome and Heon-Ho Lee, “Challenges to Sustainable Forest Management and Community Livelihoods Sustenance in Cameroon: Evidence from the Southern Bakundu Forest Reserve in Southwest Cameroon”. Journal of Sustainable Development, 8,(9), 2015, P.226-239.This work targeted livelihoods of the inhabitants in the Bakunduland around government reserved areas (forest). The author set forth justifications of the local inhabitants depending on the forest for wood, and agriculture. The massive increase in population was digested as a means to through which forest reserved suffer from massive deforestation in the quest for arable land. The work is relevant to the current research as it sampled evidence of farmers (women) who ventured in to the forest in order to increase their agricultural spheres. The current research is relevant as it unraveled the mechanisms put in place by the garri women to guarantee and prevent risk to the ecosystem such as tree planting.

Betombo Jenkins Diomo, “Rural Women in Agricultural Food Crop Production in Bombe Bakundu, 1982-2012”. Unpublished Long Essay, University Of Buea, 2015,p.13-53. This work examined the level with which rural women got involved in food crop production for their households and the rural community. The author sampled arguments on essence that rural women tremendously impacted the households and community with their outstanding performances in their roles as social and economic agents and stakeholders of household welfare and community development. The work is relevant to the current research as it dealt with issues relating to rural women’s economic and social manifestations for economic development. The current research is different but remains relevant as it also provided recommendations for the improvement of women’s status in their goals for sustainable development and growth. These literatures examined served as sources utilised by the researcher in the work.

Sources and Methodology

Sources

This research made use of primary and secondary sources. The primary sources included oral interview, letters, manuscripts, speeches, minutes, and archival materials. The secondary materials comprised published articles and books not leaving out published materials like dissertations.

Primary sources constitute first hand materials such as interview which provided information for the garri women activities. Other primary sources like, letters, manual documentations, and archival material have been used as the researcher visited the Buea National Archives and the Presbyterian Church Archives for related information and documents about the activities of the garri women. Secondary sources like books, articles, published and unpublished dissertations and working papers or documents of conferences obtained from the University of Buea Library and some libraries of other institutions like, Kumba Town Public Center,  “CEFAM”, the Meme Divisional Delegation of Small and Medium Enterprise of the Ministry Of Small And Medium Size Enterprise. And also the Buea Road Area Farmers Cooperative Union, with the Bombe Bakundu Village Barn and other personal libraries and internet. These sources were consumed with diverse methods in the work.

Methodology

The research utilised the qualitative and quantitative methods. Qualitative study was done in the form of a field work with in depth interview to gain an understanding of the interconnections and get a personal insight into the context of importance for analysis and conclusion. In conducting the field study of great importance, observations that were at times difficult to capture through literature such as body movements, language, expressions, feelings and the context under which the interview was conducted were taken into consideration. It also provided an opportunity to gain an insight into and experiences of the present-day Bombe Bakundu society, thus, obtaining a reference frame work to the Cameroon history of Women Affairs and their contributions to rural and national development and growth.

Interview guides and questionnaires were the principal instruments used for data collection. Both research instruments complimented each other, while the interviews provided an overview of the conditions of women in their activities in the Bombe Bakundu community where the study has been carried out. The questionnaires concentrated on a survey in this particular locality even though the interviews were absolutely necessary to get information from a population, which was barely literate, and sometimes, not readily willing to speak out on certain issues and occasions.

Based on the outcomes from a preliminary survey carried out in the area under study by the researcher, the interviews were conducted with randomly selected garri women in the locality of Bombe Bakundu. No particular numbers of garri women were targeted but the interviews were conducted to anyone who was willing to participate in the survey in the locality. However, the researcher noticed that there exist female and male headed homes under four categories of garri women in the area under study based on their trends of responds in the manner in which their activities were been performed. These constitute, married women, divorced, widowed and wed locked. The researcher also noticed that one general outcome of the field study was that all the women who lived and are still living in Bombe Bakundu were women.

The interviews were conducted as semi-structured individual interviews. An interview guide was used, but the questions were also memorised in advance so that an open conversation was created where the respondent could feel comfortable. The questions were not raised in a specific order, but the direction of the conversation was made to lead how the questions were forwarded. Certain flexibility has been obtained during the conversation so that additional questions could be added according to the respondent’s answer. The interviews were conducted as a discussion/conversation and, if the respondent did agree, the interviews were also recorded even though hand writing of major facts was taken down. Interview responses were analysed to see how they corresponded with the objective for the research.

The research was also quantitative as the researcher made use of statistics and data presentation to elaborate on transitions and continuities of the garri women activities and out puts. The utilisation of this brand of method was intended to make the study vividly plausible using an inter-disciplinary mode as it cuts across other disciplines like economic, mathematics, and sociology. This made the researcher to work with the experts in the various disciplines of interest. Such wide range provided the bases with which information flew for the organisation of the research work.

Organisation of the Study

The research entitled Women as Men in Bombe Bakundu, Cameroon, 1982-2016: A Historical Trend of Reversing Gender Roles had been organised in a format to reveal the centered argument of women’s attempts to regain their rightful positions in conventional economic, social and political analysis for better status while breaking the pressed and ordain silence. The conceptualisation and relevant frame work of gender equality and inequality analysis was also a compounding serum given to deepen mind on the related argument and issues concerning societal affairs of women and men in rural, national and international territories. However, the chapter ranged from chapter --- to ----- with a general introduction and conclusion. Beginning from the first chapter remains a priority.

The First Chapter is An In-Depth Theoretical Conceptualisation And Relevant Framework Of Analysis As A Prelude To The Historically Reversed Gender Roles Of Women As Men In Bombe Bakundu In Cameroon. This chapter discussed the conceptualisation and relevant frame of analysis of gender and its components for better insight into revealed truth and understanding of the unfolding arguments and focal point of interests. This first section unveiled and direct the misconception of the gender concepts, meanings in its componential implementation and credibility of been an important study platform. The trends through which the concept has been viewed by different scholars and educators had stratified diverse conceived ideologies which have also reiterated differences in approaches and policies towards gender properties over the decades. All the keywords would be digested to clarify doubts and misconceptions in analysis while posing a center argument on the changes recorded in the field of gender studies over the past years. This is done for the purpose of consuming the main strengthened argument of the work while exposing the brimming in understandings.

The Second Chapter dealt with

Ethical Considerations

The research did not jeopardise the reputation of the men in the society as it addresses issues to avoid negative implications on the status of the men who were also regarded as donors. The issues of the research were evaluated from the perspective of the women in order to clarify controversial views, which were and are conceived between the intellectuals and the inhabitants of the community which may create discontention and problems. The researcher equally signed some documents of permission and recognition with the informants in the direction of granting the researcher access to publish the information obtained coupled with their identifications. This was done in order prevent misconceptions and quarrels from the informants. Thereby, obtaining an authorisation of guarantee and safety.

The researcher equally made use of patience and humbleness to address and explain aspects of gender perspectives. This was to evade confusing conceptions and problems which characterised some households in the community. The researcher brought to the informants interpretations of some information obtained from them for better understanding in their mindsets.  This however, exposed social cohesion between the men and the women informants in the community.

The information obtained from the informants was not treated with any notion of bias as there were diverse perspectives through which the informant views were cajoled. The researcher was critical and careful in analysing the data obtained from the informants. This was to avoid the flow of confrontations and exercise of authority between the men and the women informants, which often led to the boiling and eruption of sex based views much to the detriment of each other. The researcher tried to be cautious and respect ethical values in conducting the research grabbing of information from the informants in the community.

Time Plan

The research had as mindset to cover the period from July to November with write ups commencing from December. The researcher organised the research work from Chapter One to Five. These Chapters covered the months from January to May. With Chapter One at the end of January, while Chapter Two covered the month of February and Chapter Three leading to the end of March. Chapter Four is to be completed by April and Chapter Five by May in line with the corrections and remunerations of the work.

The writing process was also characterised by a series of research and verifications of the data obtained. Clarifications, updating, and other pertinent issues relating to the work were always reflected. Some means of clarification was through phone calls that the researcher made frequently to the informants in order to analyse the facts more appropriately. In all instances, the research went along with the writing of all the Chapters at the different months coupled with the corrections pending recommendation for public defense. Even though, the research confronted recessions in the pr

Conclusion

Women have always been much more than what the men of Boombe Bakundu could possibly comprehend as they have dominated all the sectors of the economic and social aspects of existence.

References

Teke Johnson Takwa, Differences between the Socio-Economic Characteristics of Male and Female Household Heads and their Households in Cameroon (Yaounde, Cameroon: BUCREP, 2002)

            Bame Nsamenang, Fathers, Families, & Child Well-Being in Cameroon:A Reviewof the Literature,(Bamenda, Cameroon: National Center on Fathers and Families, 2000).

            Brian A. Bartelt, “Healers and Witches in Oku: An Occult System of Knowledge in Northwest Cameroon”. Published M.A Dissertation, University Of Southern California, December 2006.

            Joseph Ebune Betoto, “Missionary Activity in Bakunduland, Cameroon, 1873-1960: An Historical Appraisal”. Global Advanced Journal, 2(5), 2012.

            Joseph B. Ebune, “Colonial Rule and Bakundu Traditional Authority”. International Journal of History and Cultural Studies (IJHCS, 1,(2), 2015.

Timothy Musima Okia, “Social Developments in Bakundu during German Colonial Rule in Cameroon: 1884-1914”.Przeglad Zachodni, 1, 2014.

            Ewane Basil Ewane, Ewane Bertrand Olome and Heon-Ho Lee, “Challenges to Sustainable Forest Management and Community Livelihoods Sustenance in Cameroon: Evidence from the Southern Bakundu Forest Reserve in Southwest Cameroon”. Journal of Sustainable Development, 8,(9), 2015.

            Betombo Jenkins Diomo, “Rural Women in Agricultural Food Crop Production in Bombe Bakundu, 1982-2012”. Unpublished Long Essay, University Of Buea, 2015.