Bamboutos widows decry maltreatment, discrimination
Widows in the Bamboutos Division of the West, like elsewhere in Cameroon, still face poverty, denial of inheritance, eviction from their homes, ostracism, and abuse. Mme Sonwa Lonko Marie, the president of the Babadjou Widows Association, highlighted these issues on June 25 during a ceremony at the Babadjou Council’s banquet hall to mark International Widows Day.
She emphasized that in the 21st century, widows are mistreated by their in-laws. The common belief that a woman’s life ends when she loses her husband leads to unfavorable treatment by family members. These widows call for authorities to address their challenges.
Not only do widows suffer, but their children also face difficulties, including being withdrawn from school and increased vulnerability to abuse, particularly for girls.
During the ceremony, the Divisional Officer, Noah Mani Venant, suggested enhancing awareness and urged widows to speak out against injustices they encounter.
International Widows Day, established by the United Nations in 2010, aims to shed light on widows’ human rights violations worldwide after their spouses’ passing. It advocates for their full rights through research, addressing violence, discrimination, and poverty, and creating policies and programs.
The event gathered municipal, traditional, and political authorities who provided necessities to the widows. The theme for this year, “Widows for Peace through Democracy,” aligns with the 2024 Commission on the Status of Women’s goal to accelerate gender equality by strengthening land and property rights.
