Cameroon: Women, Girls, and the Unseen Wounds of Violence

By Boris Esono Nwenfor

BUEA, Cameroon – Violence against women and girls (VAWG) remains a deeply entrenched issue in Cameroon, exacerbated by impunity, stigma, and a culture of silence. Despite national and international laws meant to protect women and girls, cases of domestic violence, rape, and other forms of gender-based violence continue to rise, particularly in conflict-affected regions.

The ongoing sociopolitical crisis in the North West and South West regions has worsened the situation, pushing many women and girls into desperation. Some are now engaging in survival sex to secure food and livelihood.

"Every day cannot go by without hearing that a woman has been killed by her partner or a young girl has been raped. It is like we keep going back to point zero in our struggle to prevent violence against women and girls," said Dr Violet Fokum, Executive Director of the Center for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa (CHRDA).

A Call to Action

Civil society organizations and the government have made efforts to reduce gender-based violence, but challenges persist. Deeply ingrained cultural norms continue to fuel abuse, despite Cameroon’s ratification of international conventions against discrimination.
CHRDA has been at the forefront of efforts to combat gender-based violence. Through case management, counselling, and psychosocial support, the organization assists survivors in rebuilding their lives.

One of CHRDA’s recent initiatives is its Empowerment Centre, which provides women and girls with life skills training to break free from dependency. The centre trained 35 women across the North West and South West regions in income-generating activities such as making pastries, traditional caps and dresses, and detergents.

"We realized that displacement has stripped many women of their sources of livelihood. Some are now forced into survival sex. By equipping them with practical skills, we aim to give them financial independence and a way to care for their families," Dr Fokum explained.

The Need for Collective Action

Dr Fokum stresses that violence against women and girls is a fundamental human rights issue that demands urgent attention. While men are also victims of abuse, the focus should be on eliminating all forms of violence in communities.

She also highlighted the growing prevalence of emotional and sexual violence, with perpetrators becoming more strategic in their abuse. Many women suffer in silence, fearing retaliation or social ostracization.

Dr Fokum calls on individuals, civil society, and the international community to invest in preventing violence against women and girls. She warns that a society plagued by psychological trauma cannot thrive.

"Every time we hear about another woman killed or a girl raped, it feels like we are failing instead of progressing. We need to come together, put our efforts in one direction, and ensure that we stop this violence in our communities," she urged.

The message against gender-based violence is clear: Silence is no longer an option. It is time for action, investment, and a united front to protect the rights and dignity of women and girls.