Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Daniel D
Published on 2024-03-20 15:01:36
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA) in Cameroon has published its 2023 report, which sheds light on a troubling reality: more than 1,700 individuals have fallen victim to gender-based violence (GBV) in the Far North Regions of Cameroon.
Among these victims, predominantly women, are included in the 987,000 people identified by OCHA as in need of services for preventing and responding to gender-based violence. The victims reported enduring various forms of abuse, including denial of resources, sexual violence, physical assault, forced marriage, and intimate partner violence.
The report attributes these atrocities to the displacements and kidnappings resulting from conflicts in the region. Despite efforts to promote gender equality and equity, such as the adoption of a national gender policy in 2011 by Cameroon’s National Institute of Statistics, cases of GBV continue to persist.
According to UN Women, a staggering 94 percent of the 979,000 individuals in need of gender-based violence services in 2022 were women and girls, highlighting the disproportionate impact on females.
The consequences of conflict are particularly evident in the Anglophone Armed Conflict. Since its outbreak in 2016 between the Cameroonian government and armed separatist groups in the Anglophone regions, progress towards gender equality and equity in the country has halted.
Research conducted by the Nkafu Policy Institute reveals the prevalence of gender-based violence in Cameroon, with 56.4% of women reporting experiencing emotional and/or sexual violence. Within this percentage, it is estimated that 43.2% of women in unions experience domestic violence, while 39.8% and 14.5% encounter emotional and sexual violence, respectively. Shockingly, on a national scale, 20.1% of women reported being coerced into sexual activity for their first sexual relationship.
It is evident from the report that urgent action is needed to address the alarming levels of gender-based violence in Cameroon, particularly in conflict-affected regions. Efforts to promote gender equality, provide support services, and hold perpetrators accountable must be prioritized to protect the rights and well-being of all individuals, especially women and girls.
Read the original article(French) on Mimi Mefo Info
