Statement by the CHRC to mark the 25th international day for the elimination of violence against women

The Commission warmly welcomes the theme of the 25th International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women in 2024 which is Responding and recovering from Violence, and highlights the urgent action needed to prevent violence, end confirmed cases of violence against women and girls, hold perpetrators accountable, and support victims or parties with rights in their pursuit of justice and reparation, enabling them to lead lives free from violence. 

The Commission welcomes the efforts of the government and civil society to halt the rise in and end the violence against women in the Cameroonian society, including through the organization of an awareness-raising campaign against sexual violence by the Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) The Mission, with the support of psychologists, gynecologists and volunteers, at the Government Bilingual High School, Bonaberi-Douala, in the Littoral Region, on 6 November 2024. This campaign aimed to provide quality support for the prevention of sexual violence, and remedy to those affected by the impact of the phenomenon. 

The Commission unequivocally denounces the alarming resurgence of acts of violence against women and young girls that have come to its attention since 26 November 2023. These ruthless acts have inflicted grave violations upon their physical and moral integrity, with some resulting in untimely, always cruel and sometimes horrific deaths.

The Commission welcomes the commitment of public authorities to implement the recommendations made to them in its statement published to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on 25 November 2023.

The Commission notes that out of the 220 recommendations accepted by the State during the adoption of Cameroon’s Report after undergoing the fourth cycle of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) on 26 March 2024, five are in favor of the fight to eliminate violence against women. These recommendations have been transmitted by the CHRC to the relevant ministries and civil society organizations (CSOs), each, as far as it is concerned.

The Commission recommends that the Government strengthen the criminal law framework relating to violence and discrimination against women by facilitating the adoption of provisions criminalizing domestic violence in general and economic violence in particular, including control on finances, refusal of financial support, and prohibition from working.

The Commission encourages families and communities to cooperate with public authorities so that the perpetrators of violence against women and girls are apprehended, brought to justice and, where appropriate, sentenced according to the laws and regulations in force.