On November 2, 2026, a group of Cameroonian civil society organizations (CSOs) held a press conference in Yaoundé to advocate for a specific law on gender-based violence. The CSOs, led by Elise Pierrette Mpoung Meno, president of the Association to Combat Violence Against Women, called for a law that would effectively address the root causes of violence against women and men. They also urged the government to prioritize the examination and adoption of two draft laws: one on gender-based violence and the other on child protection.
According to Mpoung Meno, the current draft law on gender-based violence, which was approved in February 2024 and later enriched in February 2026 in Ebolowa, is a step in the right direction. However, the CSOs are pushing for a more comprehensive and inclusive law that would provide a framework for preventing and combating gender-based violence. They argue that the law should be strongly repressive towards perpetrators and provide reparations to victims.
The idea of a specific law on gender-based violence was first launched by the Minister of Women's Empowerment and Family, Marie Thérèse Abena Ondoa, in 2023. Since then, several working meetings have been held to refine the draft law, which has undergone several revisions. The CSOs are advocating for the Ebolowa draft to be used as the basis for further discussions at the presidency before being transmitted to parliament.
The surge in femicides in Cameroon has raised concerns among civil society groups and government officials. Mpoung Meno noted that the urgency of the situation demands a more effective approach to addressing the root causes of violence against women and men. The CSOs believe that a specific law on gender-based violence would help to reduce the incidence of violence and provide support to victims.
The Cameroonian government has taken steps to address gender-based violence, including the creation of a national committee to combat violence against women. However, CSOs argue that more needs to be done to address the scale and complexity of the problem. They are calling for a comprehensive law that would provide a framework for preventing and combating gender-based violence, as well as providing support to victims.
The debate on a specific law on gender-based violence in Cameroon is ongoing. While some argue that existing laws are sufficient, CSOs believe that a specific law would provide a more effective framework for addressing the issue. The CSOs are urging the government to prioritize the examination and adoption of the draft law, which they believe would help to reduce the incidence of gender-based violence in Cameroon.
The adoption of a specific law on gender-based violence in Cameroon would be a significant step towards addressing the issue. It would provide a framework for preventing and combating violence against women and men, as well as providing support to victims. The CSOs are hopeful that the government will take their concerns into consideration and work towards the adoption of a comprehensive law on gender-based violence.
Key points
- * The Cameroonian civil society is pushing for a specific law to combat gender-based violence, citing a surge in femicides and the need for a more comprehensive approach. * The proposed law aims to provide a framework for preventing and combating gender-based violence, as well as providing support to victims. * The civil society groups are advocating for a law that would be strongly repressive towards perpetrators and provide reparations to victims.
