GBV statistics reveal 67 women killed in Cameroon since January
By Stephen TADAHA
At least 67 women have died since the start of the year as a result of gender-based violence (GBV), according to Marie Therese Abena Ondoa, Minister of Women’s Empowerment and the Family.
Ondoa made the revelation on November 25 while opening the 18th edition of the global campaign called ‘16 Days of Activism against Violence against Women and Girls’ – an initiative of UN Women meant to highlight the global scourge of violence against women.
Ondoa also revealed that some 39% of women in Cameroon experience gender-based violence in physical, psychological, social, or cultural forms, which often leads to feminicide (the killing of a woman or girl, often by a man and on account of her gender) with at least 67 women who have been killed since the start of the year.
The 16 days of activism according to the Minister, are aimed at raising awareness to combat violence against women while focusing on positive masculinity.
The theme for 2024 is “Every 11 minutes, a woman is killed. No excuses. “All united to put an end to violence against women.”
According to figures from the UN, at least 85 000 women and girls were killed in 2023 worldwide by their close relatives.
Violence against women and girls remains one of the most prevalent and pervasive human rights violations in the world.
Globally, almost one in three women have been subjected to physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence, non-partner sexual violence, or both, at least once in their life.
This scourge has intensified in different settings, including the workplace and online spaces, and has been exacerbated by conflicts, and climate change.
The solution according to the UN, lies in robust responses, holding perpetrators accountable, and accelerating action through well-resourced national strategies and increased funding for women’s rights movements.
