Loveline ENJEH : The African woman and Cameroonian in particular needs to have self-dignity, be sure of herself and know that she can make it without any degrading compromise.

1) Who is Loveline ENJEH?

Loveline Enjeh is a journalist and gender consultant. Human Rights defender and reporter. I've practiced journalism for about 15 years now. I've done reports in human rights like the situation in the North and now English Regions of Cameroon. Rights of journalists and reporting in times of elections equally preoccupy me.

2) What fuels Loveline ENJEH?

What fuels me most is when I report on an incident and have the results. The beginning was not easy sometimes even frustrating. Working in the private sector with no salary and lack of material was a real draining challenge. But with courage and passion for the job which I love so much, I had to push on. I received many a time congratulatory letters from my boss. I became a JRI due to lack of personnel. My interest in sports because I love sports and really wanted to break the myth of sports being a domain mainly for the male. Interest in encouraging the girl child is not too different from human rights. Just want to see both genders given equal opportunities. Want to kill gender bias and portray the girl child and her talents. Followers are many and will involve me episode n field work most of the time.

3) Who is your role model?

My role model if I really have to name one is Richard quest.

4) How do you relax yourself?

My relaxation time is spent with friends some of which are not necessarily from my profession. With colleagues where we share a drink and comments on past articles do some corrections and laugh over them. I love swimming and also spend time in the farm.

5) Any plans for the UN or AU? If yes, what significant changes will you make if you were given a chance to be a peace and gender ambassador?

As a peace and gender ambassador at UN or AU still education and field work so that different cases will be handled differently depending on their context. Gender problems cut across cultures and women experience them differently. Don't forget when we talk gender here we talk men and women. So we'll have to handle cases accordingly and adopt mostly gender sensitive projects.

6)What are some of the things young girls and women do that put you off?

Women who use their sex rather than their brains. Some of them have been made to understand that if they don't compromise they'll not get to the top and they fall in for it.
Some female journalists, just like other female stars, are being used by male colleagues who are their hierarchy and they easily give in in exchange of juicy reports and be proposed for missions.

7) What are your first steps to right wrongs, should you be named the Minister of Communication or the Minister of Women's Empowerment and the Family in Cameroon today?

Minister of women's empowerment! I'll first fight stereotypes by educating women to stand by their peers and not to see succeeding women as trying to fight men. Work hand in hand with men and make sure family education is reinforced so that gender equality shouldn't be misunderstood. 

As Minister of Communication, I'll be making sure the truth is told. Rather than to tell lies on behalf of the government, I'll better tell the truth in light manners and ensure my target that everything is under control.

8) How should the African Woman carry herself ?

The African woman and Cameroonian in particular needs to have self-dignity, be sure of herself and know that she can make it without any degrading compromise. Go for the male dominated domains and prove your worth. First and foremost education before everything.

9) What is your take on the present crisis in Cameroon? How professional and ethical are your colleagues with the coverage of these crises that have lasted 32 months?

The crisis in Cameroon has at one point in time been fueled by the press in one way or the other. To really be contextual, the press in Cameroon has been following what they call editorial policies of their structures or promoters. This makes them to do bias reporting as a means of making sure there's food on their table and careless about what happens to the rest of the people. Surprisingly, those who use hate speech are given congratulatory letters by authorities.

Peace journalism is one of the options. I think Cameroon will need to pass through what the UN calls transitional justice. Peace appeases and gives hope to the target population. It's true that the field is very sleepy for journalists during this period but I'll recommend they be very active and the same time very tactical. Writing articles that let the people talk most of the time.

10) As an enlightened Reporter who is neither blind nor deaf to the happenings in the nation, what is your immediate reaction to the present wailing of women over the crisis in Cameroon?

To be sincere, when the home is scattered the accusing finger points at the head of the home. Like some, I'll join my voice to that of the women to call on the head of the country to opt for dialogue as soon as possible to save lives on both sides of the camp. Because whether it’s a separatist, military or civilian who is killed or dies, the country as a whole cries.

I hereby Call on the women in Cameroon and without to use their motherly role and advocate for peace. We shouldn't forget that women are the vulnerable sex during such warring periods. They are either being used as shields by the different camps or sex objects because they stay behind to cater for the family. Even those who run are caught so women need to come out with projects that really depict the present situation and how such projects will solve the problem.

The wailing is not falling on deaf ears. The powers that be and the international community are not unaware of their cries and of course help is coming. Even if some are profiting from it but the impact trickle down effects are being felt by the target population.

I'll propose that the government brings back things to normal. How do I mean? There should be an immediate withdrawal of troops from the field and the atmosphere of war should be buried. Secondly, the International community should step in and work with their counterparts here in Cameroon. Lastly, I Call on the government to be open to foreign aid especially those who have gone through such situations. 

We need to learn from experiences.