Latest items for Cameroon
Oct. 9, 2026, 6:43 a.m.
Countries: Cameroon
Variables: LRCM-DATA-1
"Based on the latest available data in 2023, 39% of women aged 15-49 have experienced physical and/or sexual violence by a current or former partner at least once during their lifetime, and 19% of women aged more than 15 have experienced such violence at least once over the last 12 months" (6).
Variables: LRCM-DATA-1
"Based on the latest available data in 2023, 39% of women aged 15-49 have experienced physical and/or sexual violence by a current or former partner at least once during their lifetime, and 19% of women aged more than 15 have experienced such violence at least once over the last 12 months" (6).
Oct. 9, 2026, 6:33 a.m.
Countries: Cameroon
Variables: LRCM-LAW-2
"[M]arital rape either remains outside the remits of criminal law, or is illegal but widely tolerated. The Penal Code of Cameroon criminalises rape in section 296 but does not contemplate a situation where it can be committed within marriage. Talking of rape between husband and wife was, and is still a very controversial issue because by marriage, both parties are considered as having given their irrevocable consent to satisfying each other’s sexual needs" (83).
Variables: LRCM-LAW-2
"[M]arital rape either remains outside the remits of criminal law, or is illegal but widely tolerated. The Penal Code of Cameroon criminalises rape in section 296 but does not contemplate a situation where it can be committed within marriage. Talking of rape between husband and wife was, and is still a very controversial issue because by marriage, both parties are considered as having given their irrevocable consent to satisfying each other’s sexual needs" (83).
Oct. 9, 2026, 6:33 a.m.
Countries: Cameroon
Variables: LRCM-LAW-2
"[M]arital rape either remains outside the remits of criminal law, or is illegal but widely tolerated. The Penal Code of Cameroon criminalises rape in section 296 but does not contemplate a situation where it can be committed within marriage. Talking of rape between husband and wife was, and is still a very controversial issue because by marriage, both parties are considered as having given their irrevocable consent to satisfying each other’s sexual needs" (83).
Variables: LRCM-LAW-2
"[M]arital rape either remains outside the remits of criminal law, or is illegal but widely tolerated. The Penal Code of Cameroon criminalises rape in section 296 but does not contemplate a situation where it can be committed within marriage. Talking of rape between husband and wife was, and is still a very controversial issue because by marriage, both parties are considered as having given their irrevocable consent to satisfying each other’s sexual needs" (83).
Oct. 9, 2026, 6:33 a.m.
Countries: Cameroon
Variables: LRCM-LAW-2
"[M]arital rape either remains outside the remits of criminal law, or is illegal but widely tolerated. The Penal Code of Cameroon criminalises rape in section 296 but does not contemplate a situation where it can be committed within marriage. Talking of rape between husband and wife was, and is still a very controversial issue because by marriage, both parties are considered as having given their irrevocable consent to satisfying each other’s sexual needs" (83).
Variables: LRCM-LAW-2
"[M]arital rape either remains outside the remits of criminal law, or is illegal but widely tolerated. The Penal Code of Cameroon criminalises rape in section 296 but does not contemplate a situation where it can be committed within marriage. Talking of rape between husband and wife was, and is still a very controversial issue because by marriage, both parties are considered as having given their irrevocable consent to satisfying each other’s sexual needs" (83).
Oct. 9, 2026, 6:18 a.m.
Countries: Cameroon
Variables: LRCM-LAW-2
"Marital rape is not a crime under Cameroon law" (197).
Variables: LRCM-LAW-2
"Marital rape is not a crime under Cameroon law" (197).
Oct. 9, 2026, 6:11 a.m.
Countries: Cameroon
Variables: LRCM-PRACTICE-2
"Minister Abena Ondoa née Obama Marie-Thérèse decried cases of incest and rape which she said are increasing within families with the complicity of the law of silence. The Director for the Department of the Economic Empowerment of Women at the Ministry of Women's Empowerment and the Family, Ann Chantal Handjou, says family rape is common in many homes. 'We live with very close family relations who abuse our children daily and go unpunished,' Ann Chantal Handjou lamented. She said it is when incest happens in certain families, members of such families turn to hide the issue because they do not want to expose a husband, brother or uncle. Also, due...more
Variables: LRCM-PRACTICE-2
"Minister Abena Ondoa née Obama Marie-Thérèse decried cases of incest and rape which she said are increasing within families with the complicity of the law of silence. The Director for the Department of the Economic Empowerment of Women at the Ministry of Women's Empowerment and the Family, Ann Chantal Handjou, says family rape is common in many homes. 'We live with very close family relations who abuse our children daily and go unpunished,' Ann Chantal Handjou lamented. She said it is when incest happens in certain families, members of such families turn to hide the issue because they do not want to expose a husband, brother or uncle. Also, due...more
Oct. 6, 2026, 1:42 a.m.
Countries: Cameroon
Variables: LRCM-LAW-3
"Incest is formally punished by the Cameroonian Penal Code. Article 360, in force since Law No. 67/LF/1 of 12 June 1967, provides a framework for this offence by specifying the prohibited relations and the penalties incurred" (para 1).
Variables: LRCM-LAW-3
"Incest is formally punished by the Cameroonian Penal Code. Article 360, in force since Law No. 67/LF/1 of 12 June 1967, provides a framework for this offence by specifying the prohibited relations and the penalties incurred" (para 1).
Oct. 6, 2026, 1:27 a.m.
Countries: Cameroon
Variables: LRCM-DATA-2
"[R]esults of a study published by GTZ some years back indicated that rape and incest have a national prevalence of 5.2 per cent. It is also revealed that 432,833 girls and women are victims of rape in Cameroon and 18 per cent of cases of rape were perpetrated by a family member. Hence, some 77,909 girls and women were identified by the study as victims of incest in the country" (para 3).
Variables: LRCM-DATA-2
"[R]esults of a study published by GTZ some years back indicated that rape and incest have a national prevalence of 5.2 per cent. It is also revealed that 432,833 girls and women are victims of rape in Cameroon and 18 per cent of cases of rape were perpetrated by a family member. Hence, some 77,909 girls and women were identified by the study as victims of incest in the country" (para 3).
Oct. 6, 2026, 1:16 a.m.
Countries: Cameroon
Variables: LRCM-PRACTICE-1
"The non-criminalisation of marital rape or the reluctance to out rightly criminalise marital rape in Cameroon could be attributed to the traditional view of sexual intercourse in marriage and the interpretation of religious doctrines concerning sex in marriage" (84). "Religious practices in Cameroon are dominated by Christian and Islamic ideas which hold the view that rape cannot occur between husband and wife or wives, ideas which might have accounted for the reluctance or non-criminalisation of marital rape" (85). "The continuous dominance of discriminatory customary law practices which does not encourage marital rape can be attributed to how wives who are victims of rape consider what happened to them. Some take...more
Variables: LRCM-PRACTICE-1
"The non-criminalisation of marital rape or the reluctance to out rightly criminalise marital rape in Cameroon could be attributed to the traditional view of sexual intercourse in marriage and the interpretation of religious doctrines concerning sex in marriage" (84). "Religious practices in Cameroon are dominated by Christian and Islamic ideas which hold the view that rape cannot occur between husband and wife or wives, ideas which might have accounted for the reluctance or non-criminalisation of marital rape" (85). "The continuous dominance of discriminatory customary law practices which does not encourage marital rape can be attributed to how wives who are victims of rape consider what happened to them. Some take...more
Aug. 20, 2026, 1:48 p.m.
Countries: Cameroon
Variables: PW-LAW-1
“In countries such as Cameroon, Egypt, Kenya, Senegal, South Sudan and Sudan, the laws allow for more than one marriage. Kenya’s laws emphasise that customary and Muslim marriages are presumed to be polygamous or potentially polygamous. In Sudan and Senegal, a man can have up to four wives” (12). “(v) Polygamy: Moreover, under the Civil Code and Ordinance 81-02, polygamy is still allowed in the country” (43).
Variables: PW-LAW-1
“In countries such as Cameroon, Egypt, Kenya, Senegal, South Sudan and Sudan, the laws allow for more than one marriage. Kenya’s laws emphasise that customary and Muslim marriages are presumed to be polygamous or potentially polygamous. In Sudan and Senegal, a man can have up to four wives” (12). “(v) Polygamy: Moreover, under the Civil Code and Ordinance 81-02, polygamy is still allowed in the country” (43).
Aug. 20, 2026, 1:48 p.m.
Countries: Cameroon
Variables: MARR-PRACTICE-7
“(i) Husband as the head of household: Article 212-214 of the Civil Code identifies the husband as the head of the household. Article 74 of Cameroon’s Civil Status Registration further provides that a husband may object to his wife's exercise of a trade different from his in the interest of their marriage or children. According to Article 1421 of the Civil Code of the Republic of Cameroon, the husband alone administers the common property. He can sell, dispose of and mortgage them without the cooperation of the wife. Moreover, according to article 1428, the husband has the administration of all the personal property of the wife. He alone can exercise...more
Variables: MARR-PRACTICE-7
“(i) Husband as the head of household: Article 212-214 of the Civil Code identifies the husband as the head of the household. Article 74 of Cameroon’s Civil Status Registration further provides that a husband may object to his wife's exercise of a trade different from his in the interest of their marriage or children. According to Article 1421 of the Civil Code of the Republic of Cameroon, the husband alone administers the common property. He can sell, dispose of and mortgage them without the cooperation of the wife. Moreover, according to article 1428, the husband has the administration of all the personal property of the wife. He alone can exercise...more
Aug. 20, 2026, 1:48 p.m.
Countries: Cameroon
Variables: MARR-PRACTICE-5, PW-PRACTICE-3
“There is a draft Code of the Person and the Family which has been pending since 2020 and is awaiting adoption by the National Assembly at the time of publishing this Report. If adopted, it will have a favourable impact on women’s rights within the family. For instance: ► Dowry and gifts cannot be returned; ► Spouses owe each other mutual love, respect, fidelity, help, and assistance, in the case of polygamy, each wife has the right to equal treatment in relation to the other wives; ► Each spouse has freedom to work without obtaining the consent of the other; ► In case of dissolution of a marriage, the wife...more
Variables: MARR-PRACTICE-5, PW-PRACTICE-3
“There is a draft Code of the Person and the Family which has been pending since 2020 and is awaiting adoption by the National Assembly at the time of publishing this Report. If adopted, it will have a favourable impact on women’s rights within the family. For instance: ► Dowry and gifts cannot be returned; ► Spouses owe each other mutual love, respect, fidelity, help, and assistance, in the case of polygamy, each wife has the right to equal treatment in relation to the other wives; ► Each spouse has freedom to work without obtaining the consent of the other; ► In case of dissolution of a marriage, the wife...more
Aug. 20, 2026, 1:48 p.m.
Countries: Cameroon
Variables: MARR-LAW-2, MARR-LAW-5
“Countries like Angola, Malawi, and Mozambique protect women the most since they recognise marriage by reputation, cohabitation, or de facto marriages, in addition to customary and religious marriages. The same applies for Cameroon and Egypt where marriages do not have to be registered to have legal effect” (9).
Variables: MARR-LAW-2, MARR-LAW-5
“Countries like Angola, Malawi, and Mozambique protect women the most since they recognise marriage by reputation, cohabitation, or de facto marriages, in addition to customary and religious marriages. The same applies for Cameroon and Egypt where marriages do not have to be registered to have legal effect” (9).
Aug. 20, 2026, 1:48 p.m.
Countries: Cameroon
Variables: MARR-LAW-1
“Some countries such as Cameroon, Nigeria, Senegal, South Sudan, Sudan, and Tanzania still allow for marriages under 18 in contradiction with the Maputo Protocol. The laws in these countries also often have discriminatory provisions allowing girls to marry at lower ages than boys” (9).
Variables: MARR-LAW-1
“Some countries such as Cameroon, Nigeria, Senegal, South Sudan, Sudan, and Tanzania still allow for marriages under 18 in contradiction with the Maputo Protocol. The laws in these countries also often have discriminatory provisions allowing girls to marry at lower ages than boys” (9).
Aug. 20, 2026, 1:48 p.m.
Countries: Cameroon
Variables: LRW-LAW-4
“As per Section 297 the 2016 Penal Code, marriage is no longer an exemption from prosecution if a rapist marries his victim, as was the case in the past. Section 356 of the Penal Code also criminalises forced marriage” (42).
Variables: LRW-LAW-4
“As per Section 297 the 2016 Penal Code, marriage is no longer an exemption from prosecution if a rapist marries his victim, as was the case in the past. Section 356 of the Penal Code also criminalises forced marriage” (42).
Aug. 20, 2026, 1:48 p.m.
Countries: Cameroon
Variables: IW-PRACTICE-1, IW-LAW-1
“(iv) Inheritance: The Draft Code of the Person and the Family is discriminatory towards widows if the deceased husband does not leave a will. Its Section 919 provides as follows: “Intestate succession shall devolve by application of the law to the parents and to the surviving spouse in the following order: ▶ Descendants ▶ Forebears ▶ Collaterals ▶ Surviving spouse ▶ The State” As a surviving spouse, widows should be inheriting from the deceased husband in a prioritised manner” (43).
Variables: IW-PRACTICE-1, IW-LAW-1
“(iv) Inheritance: The Draft Code of the Person and the Family is discriminatory towards widows if the deceased husband does not leave a will. Its Section 919 provides as follows: “Intestate succession shall devolve by application of the law to the parents and to the surviving spouse in the following order: ▶ Descendants ▶ Forebears ▶ Collaterals ▶ Surviving spouse ▶ The State” As a surviving spouse, widows should be inheriting from the deceased husband in a prioritised manner” (43).
Aug. 20, 2026, 1:48 p.m.
Countries: Cameroon
Variables: IAW-PRACTICE-1, IAW-LAW-1
“There are also countries such as Algeria, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, South Sudan, Sudan and Tunisia that outrightly provide for unequal inheritance of the girl child or female spouses, or place women below the inheritance line. As a surviving spouse, widows should inherit from the deceased husband in a prioritised manner. In countries like Egypt and Sudan, there are different succession regimes for Christians and Muslims where a Christian woman must inherit equally as her brothers, which is not the case for Muslim women” (16). “However, legal reforms have sought to address these disparities by recognising and protecting women’s rights to matrimonial property. Matrimonial property laws in Africa have undergone...more
Variables: IAW-PRACTICE-1, IAW-LAW-1
“There are also countries such as Algeria, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, South Sudan, Sudan and Tunisia that outrightly provide for unequal inheritance of the girl child or female spouses, or place women below the inheritance line. As a surviving spouse, widows should inherit from the deceased husband in a prioritised manner. In countries like Egypt and Sudan, there are different succession regimes for Christians and Muslims where a Christian woman must inherit equally as her brothers, which is not the case for Muslim women” (16). “However, legal reforms have sought to address these disparities by recognising and protecting women’s rights to matrimonial property. Matrimonial property laws in Africa have undergone...more
Aug. 20, 2026, 1:48 p.m.
Countries: Cameroon
Variables: IAD-PRACTICE-1, IAD-LAW-1
“There are also countries such as Algeria, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, South Sudan, Sudan and Tunisia that outrightly provide for unequal inheritance of the girl child or female spouses, or place women below the inheritance line. As a surviving spouse, widows should inherit from the deceased husband in a prioritised manner. In countries like Egypt and Sudan, there are different succession regimes for Christians and Muslims where a Christian woman must inherit equally as her brothers, which is not the case for Muslim women” (16).
Variables: IAD-PRACTICE-1, IAD-LAW-1
“There are also countries such as Algeria, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, South Sudan, Sudan and Tunisia that outrightly provide for unequal inheritance of the girl child or female spouses, or place women below the inheritance line. As a surviving spouse, widows should inherit from the deceased husband in a prioritised manner. In countries like Egypt and Sudan, there are different succession regimes for Christians and Muslims where a Christian woman must inherit equally as her brothers, which is not the case for Muslim women” (16).
Aug. 20, 2026, 1:48 p.m.
Countries: Cameroon
Variables: DTCP-LAW-1
“Countries like Angola, Malawi, and Mozambique protect women the most since they recognise marriage by reputation, cohabitation, or de facto marriages, in addition to customary and religious marriages. The same applies for Cameroon and Egypt where marriages do not have to be registered to have legal effect” (9). “In countries such as Cameroon, Egypt, Kenya, Senegal, South Sudan and Sudan, the laws allow for more than one marriage. Kenya’s laws emphasise that customary and Muslim marriages are presumed to be polygamous or potentially polygamous. In Sudan and Senegal, a man can have up to four wives” (12). “Family law in Cameroon is governed by common statutory English law in the...more
Variables: DTCP-LAW-1
“Countries like Angola, Malawi, and Mozambique protect women the most since they recognise marriage by reputation, cohabitation, or de facto marriages, in addition to customary and religious marriages. The same applies for Cameroon and Egypt where marriages do not have to be registered to have legal effect” (9). “In countries such as Cameroon, Egypt, Kenya, Senegal, South Sudan and Sudan, the laws allow for more than one marriage. Kenya’s laws emphasise that customary and Muslim marriages are presumed to be polygamous or potentially polygamous. In Sudan and Senegal, a man can have up to four wives” (12). “Family law in Cameroon is governed by common statutory English law in the...more
Aug. 20, 2026, 1:48 p.m.
Countries: Cameroon
Variables: CUST-LAW-1
Increasingly reformed Children’s Acts now ensure guardianship rights for both parents, whether married or unmarried, a presumption of joint, shared custody and the child’s right to know and be cared for by both biological parents. This goes a long way to ensuring equality in parental relations, as required by the Maputo Protocol. Such countries are Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique and Senegal” (15). CUST-LAW-1 “Both parents have the same authority over the child, even upon divorce. However, the court can decide on only one parent having parental authority if it is in the best interests of the child” (42).
Variables: CUST-LAW-1
Increasingly reformed Children’s Acts now ensure guardianship rights for both parents, whether married or unmarried, a presumption of joint, shared custody and the child’s right to know and be cared for by both biological parents. This goes a long way to ensuring equality in parental relations, as required by the Maputo Protocol. Such countries are Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique and Senegal” (15). CUST-LAW-1 “Both parents have the same authority over the child, even upon divorce. However, the court can decide on only one parent having parental authority if it is in the best interests of the child” (42).
Aug. 20, 2026, 1:48 p.m.
Countries: Cameroon
Variables: ATC-DATA-1
“23 August 1994” (41).
Variables: ATC-DATA-1
“23 August 1994” (41).
Aug. 20, 2026, 1:48 p.m.
Countries: Cameroon
Variables: ABO-LAW-1
“(ii) Abortion: Article 337 of the Penal Code, while referring to its Article 339, provides that abortion can only occur in the event of a pregnancy resulting from rape and with the authorisation of the public prosecutor, for medical reasons” (43).
Variables: ABO-LAW-1
“(ii) Abortion: Article 337 of the Penal Code, while referring to its Article 339, provides that abortion can only occur in the event of a pregnancy resulting from rape and with the authorisation of the public prosecutor, for medical reasons” (43).
Aug. 20, 2026, 1:48 p.m.
Countries: Cameroon
Variables: AOM-PRACTICE-1, AOM-LAW-1
“(iii) Child marriage: While Section 356 of the Penal Code criminalises forced marriage, it does not prohibit child marriage. It only provides for a minimum punishment of not less than 2 years in cases of forced marriage of children under 18, regardless of mitigating circumstances. The Civil Status Registration Ordinance of 1981114 states the minimum marriageable age as 15 for girls and 18 for boys with a clause that such marriages should involve the consent of both parties and equally recognised by an official document. However, a further waiver from these minimum age requirements can also be granted by the President for serious reasons” (43).
Variables: AOM-PRACTICE-1, AOM-LAW-1
“(iii) Child marriage: While Section 356 of the Penal Code criminalises forced marriage, it does not prohibit child marriage. It only provides for a minimum punishment of not less than 2 years in cases of forced marriage of children under 18, regardless of mitigating circumstances. The Civil Status Registration Ordinance of 1981114 states the minimum marriageable age as 15 for girls and 18 for boys with a clause that such marriages should involve the consent of both parties and equally recognised by an official document. However, a further waiver from these minimum age requirements can also be granted by the President for serious reasons” (43).
Aug. 20, 2026, 1:48 p.m.
Countries: Cameroon
Variables: ATC-DATA-2
“None” (41).
Variables: ATC-DATA-2
“None” (41).
Aug. 20, 2026, 1:48 p.m.
Countries: Cameroon
Variables: ATC-DATA-5
“African Charter 20 June 1989 and Maputo Protocol 13 September 2012 “The acceptance of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa should in no way be construed as endorsement, encouragement or promotion of homosexuality, abortion (except therapeutic abortion), genital mutilation, prostitution or any other practice which is not consistent with universal or African ethical and moral values, and which could be wrongly understood as arising from the rights of women to respect as a person or the free development of her personality. Any interpretation of the present Protocol justifying such practices cannot be applied against the government of Cameroon””...more
Variables: ATC-DATA-5
“African Charter 20 June 1989 and Maputo Protocol 13 September 2012 “The acceptance of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa should in no way be construed as endorsement, encouragement or promotion of homosexuality, abortion (except therapeutic abortion), genital mutilation, prostitution or any other practice which is not consistent with universal or African ethical and moral values, and which could be wrongly understood as arising from the rights of women to respect as a person or the free development of her personality. Any interpretation of the present Protocol justifying such practices cannot be applied against the government of Cameroon””...more
Aug. 20, 2026, 1:48 p.m.
Countries: Cameroon
Variables: ATDW-LAW-5
“Both spouses can initiate a divorce proceeding and the court will grant a divorce where either: ► There is mutual consent ► One spouse has deserted the other for a period of one year ► Married life has broken down ► There is fault on the part of one spouse” (42).
Variables: ATDW-LAW-5
“Both spouses can initiate a divorce proceeding and the court will grant a divorce where either: ► There is mutual consent ► One spouse has deserted the other for a period of one year ► Married life has broken down ► There is fault on the part of one spouse” (42).
Aug. 20, 2026, 1:48 p.m.
Countries: Cameroon
Variables: CONST-LAW-1
“The Preamble of Cameroon’s 1996 Constitution states that ‘the human person, without distinction as to race, religion, sex or belief, possesses inalienable and sacred rights’ and further that ‘the State shall guarantee all citizens of either sex the rights and freedoms set forth in the Preamble of the Constitution’. The Constitution does not have a Bill of Rights. The principles of equality and non-discrimination, however, are further guaranteed by Article 16 of the Civil Code, Article 1 of the Penal Code and Article 84 of the Labour Code” (41).
Variables: CONST-LAW-1
“The Preamble of Cameroon’s 1996 Constitution states that ‘the human person, without distinction as to race, religion, sex or belief, possesses inalienable and sacred rights’ and further that ‘the State shall guarantee all citizens of either sex the rights and freedoms set forth in the Preamble of the Constitution’. The Constitution does not have a Bill of Rights. The principles of equality and non-discrimination, however, are further guaranteed by Article 16 of the Civil Code, Article 1 of the Penal Code and Article 84 of the Labour Code” (41).
Aug. 20, 2026, 1:48 p.m.
Countries: Cameroon
Variables: ATDW-PRACTICE-1
“Women and men have equal rights to petition for divorce in countries such as Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Mozambique, and Senegal” (14). “Both spouses can initiate a divorce proceeding and the court will grant a divorce where either: ► There is mutual consent ► One spouse has deserted the other for a period of one year ► Married life has broken down ► There is fault on the part of one spouse” (42).
Variables: ATDW-PRACTICE-1
“Women and men have equal rights to petition for divorce in countries such as Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Mozambique, and Senegal” (14). “Both spouses can initiate a divorce proceeding and the court will grant a divorce where either: ► There is mutual consent ► One spouse has deserted the other for a period of one year ► Married life has broken down ► There is fault on the part of one spouse” (42).
Aug. 20, 2026, 1:48 p.m.
Countries: Cameroon
Variables: ATDW-LAW-1
“Both spouses own the matrimonial property. In addition, in the case of Immaculate Vefonge vs Sammuel Lyonga Yukpe, the Court of Appeal of Buea ruled to sustain a Bakweri custom whereby a husband is forbidden to send away a nursing mother from the matrimonial home or initiate divorce proceedings against her” (42).
Variables: ATDW-LAW-1
“Both spouses own the matrimonial property. In addition, in the case of Immaculate Vefonge vs Sammuel Lyonga Yukpe, the Court of Appeal of Buea ruled to sustain a Bakweri custom whereby a husband is forbidden to send away a nursing mother from the matrimonial home or initiate divorce proceedings against her” (42).
Aug. 10, 2026, 8:29 p.m.
Countries: Cameroon
Variables: DV-PRACTICE-1
“For more than a decade, Cameroon’s government had publicly committed to halving violence against women by 2026, an ambitious and necessary goal in a country where women face widespread violence including physical, economic, psychological and emotional violence, both within the home and in public life, most often perpetrated by husbands, intimate partners, and male relatives. These abuses are not isolated incidents but are rooted in entrenched gender inequality, discriminatory laws, weak institutions, and exacerbated by chronic underinvestment in prevention and survivor support. Despite repeated commitments since 2011, the government has taken few concrete steps toward meeting its stated target. Midway through 2026, the government has blatantly failed to meet its...more
Variables: DV-PRACTICE-1
“For more than a decade, Cameroon’s government had publicly committed to halving violence against women by 2026, an ambitious and necessary goal in a country where women face widespread violence including physical, economic, psychological and emotional violence, both within the home and in public life, most often perpetrated by husbands, intimate partners, and male relatives. These abuses are not isolated incidents but are rooted in entrenched gender inequality, discriminatory laws, weak institutions, and exacerbated by chronic underinvestment in prevention and survivor support. Despite repeated commitments since 2011, the government has taken few concrete steps toward meeting its stated target. Midway through 2026, the government has blatantly failed to meet its...more