2020
Divina Stella Maloum
- Age: 18
- | She/her/hers
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Bio
Divina Stella Moloum was born and raised in Cameroon. She received a general certificate for education from Wecare College in 2019. Divina is the Founder and Leader of Children for Peace, a movement committed to increasing the number of children in peacebuilding and advocating for children rights and gender equity. She is the Founder of Art for Peace and has also launched and established Children for Peace clubs in mosques and communities across north Cameroon. Additionally, Divina has conducted several ongoing advocacy campaigns to combat child trafficking, sexual exploitation during conflict and post-conflict periods, and factors leading children to violent extremism.
What ignited your pursuit for gender equality?
I believe that children should not be overlooked. If we have more children in peacebuilding, we will have fewer conflicts in the long-term.
Please share your biggest wins as an advocate for gender equality.
In Cameroon, terrorist groups target vulnerable children and recruit them to become child soldiers and child brides, girls being targeted for particularly horrendous abuse including sexual slavery and early marriages either by Boko Haram members/separatists rebels. I have undertaken several initiatives for more respect for children's and girls' rights, sensitizing and training children on violent extremism to prevent them to be radicalized and to be engaged as peace agents. During the implementation of some projects and initiatives related to ending early marriage and the establishment of Children Peace Clubs in mosques, I used to travel from my hometown situated in Yaoundé to several communities in the north.
Outside of your gender equality advocacy work, what do you enjoy doing?
Reading, watching TV, and praying.
Languages Spoken:
- English (Advanced/Native)
- French (Advanced/Native)
Publications:
Speaks On:
- meaningful youth engagement in peace building
- youth participation and leadership
- SRHR advocacy
- early marriage
Past Awards, Certifications, or Fellowships:
- International Children's Peace Prize
