Women encouraged to speak up, break the silence when violated

Women and girls in Cameroon have been called upon to speak up and break the silence when faced with all forms of violence. This was during the launch of a 16-day activism against gender based violence launched in Yaounde this November 25th.

Violence against women and girls is one of the most persistent and devastating human rights violations in the country and according to reports from the human rights body, 56.4% of women suffer from physical, sexual or intimate partner violence in Cameroon.

“I have been living with a man for ten years now and we have four kids together. I was constantly tortured by him whenever I was pregnant. When he lost his job it was very difficult so I had to give him a helping hand. After helping him support the family for six years he decided to send me away. Whenever he gets angry he uses a machete to threaten me and to destroy my property. This seriously affected our children,” a victim of gender based violence explains.
Many victims shy away from reporting to competent authorities when violated for fear of being subjected to more violence and even possibly death.

“At first I was afraid to speak up and report him to the social affairs or the police but due to the continued threat I was left with no choice but to speak up,” she continued.

The 16 days of activism against gender-based violence which began yesterday November 25th is a wake-up call for the population to end violence against women and girls and to sensitize on the dangers of violence.

The event was launched yesterday at the Hotel de Ville, Yaounde, by the minister of women’s empowerment and the family, Marie Therese Abena Ondoa.

The 16th edition of the campaign against gender based violence had as its theme, “let’s join forces to end violence against women and girls”.

According to Marie Therese Abena Ondoa, the population should denounce all forms of violence against women and girls. Women should learn to break the silence and speak up when faced with all sorts of violence.

She reiterated the need for collective action between all stakeholders in communities and governments to work together to end violence against women.