In an international award with137 contestants from 56 different countries, Cameroonian teen girl, who goes by the name Divina Maloum, won the prestigious prize, for her work with young people who have suffered extremist violence, particularly in the northern part of her country Cameroon.
Since 2014, the Northern Region of Cameroon has witnessed extremist violence that has led to the loss of uncountable lives. For the sake of peace, there has been enormous effort to curb violence in the area. A popular Nigerian-based terrorist group called Boko Haram, since their arrival in the area, carried out unrecorded attacks across the Cameroon.
The advocacy for peace in the area has not only been exercised by adults, but some children have been instrumental in the fight against violence.
It was for that reason in 2014, that Cameroonian teenager, Maloum, founded the “Children For Peace Movement” that works with child victims of terror. She goes to communities to talk to children about their rights and tell them that they do not have to be drawn into the violence. Her group now boasts of over 100 children in her network, across the ten regions of Cameroon.
The young Cameroonian has been, consistent since 2014 and has now been awarded on a global stage that saw contestants of her age from other countries.
