Cameroon LGBTI activist benefits from leadership training at US program
Hamlet Nkwain is fighting discrimination in health care in Cameroon
Hamlet Nkwain, executive director of the Cameroon-based LGBTI rights and healthcare advocacy group Working For Our Wellbeing, recently completed a leadership training program offered by the US government in which he learned “strategies to combat stigma and discrimination, particularly against sexual and gender minorities.”
Working For Our Wellbeing recently released the following statement about how Nkwain’s training will impact their work in Cameroon:
Strengthening Human Rights in Cameroon: Hamlet Nkwain, Our Executive Director, at the Heart of the IVLProgram
We are proud to announce that our Executive Director, Hamlet Nkwain, was selected to participate in the prestigious International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), organized by the U.S. Department of State. This program brings together international leaders, providing them with opportunities to enhance their skills in key areas such as human rights advocacy.
During his time in the United States, Hamlet engaged with experts and explored innovative strategies to combat stigma and discrimination, particularly against sexual and gender minorities. His experience is especially crucial as Cameroon approaches the 2025 elections, a pivotal moment where human rights must be at the forefront of political discussions.
The current environment in Cameroon, marked by increasing challenges for sexual and gender minorities such as stigma, violence, and discrimination calls for coordinated action. Recent events, including regional homophobic movements that have led to violence, have jeopardized the fundamental rights of these citizens. However, the 2025 elections present a unique opportunity to amplify the voices of these communities and advocate for a more inclusive society.
With the skills gained through the IVLP, Hamlet is now better equipped to mobilize and advocate for the rights of sexual and gender minorities, fostering dialogue with political actors and offering concrete recommendations to integrate these rights into electoral platforms. We firmly believe that this mobilization could contribute to a positive shift in the perception and treatment of sexual and gender minorities.
In 2025, it is essential that the voices of minority communities are heard, and thanks to Hamlet’s IVLP experience, Working For Our Wellbeing will continue its commitment to an inclusive future where the human rights of all individuals are respected.
Move over, queer suffering. It’s time for queer joy.