Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Daniel D
Published on 2024-03-08 20:09:10
As International Women’s Day was celebrated around the world with the theme “Invest in women: accelerate progress,” there is still a significant gap in the equality between men and women. A recent UN report released before this year’s celebrations emphasized the need for an additional $360 billion investment in women annually to achieve gender equality and empowerment.
The report predicts that by 2030, over 340 million women and girls, making up about 8 percent of the global female population, will be living in extreme poverty. Alarmingly, nearly one in four is expected to face moderate or severe food insecurity unless urgent action is taken.
While women in various parts of the world are advocating for women’s rights in workplaces and government representation, such efforts are noticeably lacking in Cameroon. Celebrations are mainly concentrated in government ministries, state corporations, and a few non-governmental organizations. For example, in Buea, the majority of participants in the Women’s Day march were from regional ministries and NGOs.
The disparity is even more visible when considering the challenges faced by rural women in places like Muyenge or those affected by the Anglophone conflict in Kwakwah. As of 2022, the unemployment rate for women in Cameroon was 4.58 percent.
Another report from 2021 reveals that women in Cameroon are the poorest demographic, despite contributing over 55.8 percent to national agricultural production. OCHA reports that Cameroonian women make up 71.6 percent of workers in the informal agricultural sector, with 51.5 percent living below the poverty line and 79.2 percent facing underemployment.
While the celebration of Women’s Day should address these issues, it often turns into a mere ceremonial event where privileged women enjoy festivities and inappropriate behavior. The resources spent on Women’s Day fabrics and preparations could be better utilized to support rural women in struggling communities like Forawa, Kikaikelaki, Akwaya, and Ekata.
After the celebrations are over, the concerns of these women often fade into silence until the next March. Cameroonian women continue to face numerous challenges, many of which are overlooked on Women’s Day. Notably, no woman in Cameroon has ever held prominent positions such as President of the Republic, Speaker of the National Assembly, President of the Senate, Prime Minister, or Governor of a region.
Workplace harassment remains a prevalent issue, often endured in silence due to fear of not being believed. A study conducted by the NGO ALiGN in Buea, Southwest Cameroon in 2021, revealed troubling statistics. Respondents reported experiencing physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, with 43% admitting to physical violence, 42% emotional violence, and 21% falling victim to sexual violence, primarily sexual harassment.
In a disturbing incident on February 28, a woman was fired from the Cameroon Human Rights Commission after taking her boss to court for sexual harassment. In Western countries, such an accusation would lead to a suspension pending investigation. However, in Cameroon, where significant resources are allocated for Women’s Day, many women are forced to suffer in silence due to intimidation. This highlights the fact that the fight for gender equality is still a challenging task.
Read the original article(French) on Mimi Mefo Info
