By Solange Tegwi
Despite ongoing efforts, violence against women and girls remains a pervasive issue across all levels of Cameroonian society. Women often face a dual marginalization: viewed as outsiders in their birth families and as interlopers in their marital homes. This pressure is particularly acute within the nation’s patriarchal structures.
“Women often must work twice as hard to be considered, thrice as hard to be heard, and four times as hard to be respected, continually having to prove themselves,” said Marie Pierre Raky Chaupin, UN Women Resident Representative in Cameroon. She stressed that promoting female leadership is essential for strengthening peace, local governance, and sustainable development.
The core challenge, according to Marie Angèle Noah Ngah, Mayor of Afanloum and President of REFELA-Cameroon, is not a lack of access but its quality. While progress has been made in girls’ basic education, persistent obstacles like underage marriage, gender stereotypes, economic hardship, and a weak rural education system hinder further advancement.
These issues formed the backdrop for a workshop titled, “Women, Power and Peace: Combatting Structural and Cultural Violence for Transformative Female Leadership.” Organized by REFELA-Cameroon and UN Women under the patronage of the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and the Family (MINPROFF), the event served as a pressing call for action and a collective commitment to dismantle the barriers limiting women’s power and participation in peace and development.
Female Mayors and community leaders, though still a minority in local decision-making, represent a significant stride forward. “Their visible engagement in the field shows that when women are in command, communities progress,” the workshop highlighted.
Mayor Félicité Sidiki Manon of Eboine noted that female leaders everywhere face similar challenges rooted in patriarchal norms, socio-cultural biases, and limited financial autonomy.
Representing Minister Professor Marie Thérèse Abena Ondoua, Dr. Nathalie Célestine Mbida urged the leaders to strengthen their collective advocacy. “Synergy is to formulating recommendations and promoting a more equitable institutional environment,” she stated, assuring them of MINPROFF’s strong support.
Raky Chaupin reiterated UN Women’s commitment: “We are by your side to reinforce your capacity, support your initiatives, document good practices, affirm your advocacy, and amplify your voices… because your actions protect and build lives.”
Held on December 3 at the International Centre for Affairs in Yaoundé, the two-day workshop brought together female mayors from across Cameroon. It formed part of the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign.
