FUNCTIONAL ENGLISH LITERACY AS A CATALYST FOR SOCIO-ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT: WIDOWS IN BAMENDA, CAMEROON

Abstract In postcolonial Anglophone Cameroon, language is not merely a medium of communication; it acts as a pathway to socio-economic survival. The North West Region is heavily impacted by both patriarchal customary laws and the protracted socio-political crisis. This crisis has led to an increase in the number of widows. This sociolinguistic study examines the relationship between functional English Literacy and the socio-economic empowerment of widows in Bamenda, Cameroon. Utilising a comparative mixed methods research design, the study uses questionnaires and semi-structured interviews to contrast two distinct cohorts: Literate and non-literate widows. This work is grounded in Naila Kabeer’s empowerment framework and Paulo Freire’s critical literacy. A total of two hundred (200) widows were administered the questionnaires. Forty (40) widows were involved in the interview. The findings reveal a stark divergence between the two cohorts. While the non-literate widows face systemic property dispossession, financial exploitation and micro-finance exclusion due to language barriers, literate widows successfully leverage their skills to scale up their businesses, defend inheritance rights, navigate healthcare systems and secure their children’s education. The paper concludes by recommending development and humanitarian interventions in patriarchal, conflict-affected zones to transition from blind financial relief toward integrated rights-based, health-based and economic-based literacy frameworks. Keywords Functional English LiteracySocio-economic ImportanceWidowsComparative AnalysisBamenda