Cameroon Government Accused of Failing to Combat Violence Against Women
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has released a report accusing the Cameroonian government of significant failures in its commitment to reduce violence against women and girls. Despite pledging in 2011 to halve such violence by 2026, 15 years later, the problem has worsened. Women continue to experience physical, economic, psychological, and emotional abuse in both private and public spheres, with limited control over essential resources like land and housing. The report, titled "I Live in Permanent Insecurity," details that perpetrators often include husbands, intimate partners, and male relatives. Researchers conducted in-depth interviews with 60 women who experienced violence and with government officials and religious leaders, gathering data from September to December 2024 in Maroua, Douala, and Buea. The 86-page document highlights that gender inequality, discriminatory laws, and weak institutions, exacerbated by chronic underinvestment in prevention and survivor support, fuel these violences. The legal framework often reinforces male dominance, with girls facing unequal inheritance rights and women reporting that authorities sometimes advise against pursuing complaints or hold them responsible for the abuse. The report also notes reprisals from husbands and close ties between perpetrators and law enforcement. HRW states that the government, led by President Paul Biya and his party, has taken few concrete measures over the past 15 years, lacking a comprehensive national policy on domestic violence and adequate resources for police, judiciary, health, and social workers. HRW recommends legal reforms, including adopting a family code, adequately funding survivor services, training law enforcement, and addressing root causes, reminding Cameroon of its international obligations to eliminate discrimination against women.
This report highlights a critical governance gap in Cameroon, where stated commitments to gender equality and protection against violence have not translated into effective policy implementation or measurable outcomes. The persistent discrepancy between international pledges and domestic realities suggests systemic issues in institutional capacity, resource allocation, and potentially political will. The analysis points to a need for robust legal reforms and sustained investment in social services, underscoring the challenge of addressing deeply entrenched gender inequalities. Future progress will likely depend on strengthening accountability mechanisms and ensuring that legal frameworks are actively enforced to protect vulnerable populations, particularly in the context of ongoing security crises that may further strain governmental resources and attention.
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