Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Yaounde (Agenzia Fides) - “A legislation that calls for the prohibition of dicriminations against women according to article 1 of the Convention, and appropriately sanctioning the violations of article 2b of the same document,” are the main conclusions expressed by the UN Commission on the elimination of discriminations against women in Cameroon, published in the report of February 2009.
Along with the “appreciation for the opening of a legislative reform process that seeks to eliminate all discrimination contrary to the UN International Convention on Human Rights; the July 2005 adoption of a national law for the state of refugees and strategies of development to reduce poverty and improve social conditions of the population, especially women,” there has been a growing concern from the Commission as to the areas in which Cameroon should place special attention.
The Commission, pointing out that the main responsibility is held by the Government, is concerned that they are not sufficiently informed on the articles of the Convention, and neither are the women, especially those living in rural areas. Therefore, this requires an educational instruction on this topic and that law-makers and professionals (especially magistrates and judges) are informed as to the Convention and the rights of women.
According to the Commission, “According to the Commission, “the Penal and Civil Codes do not place enough attention on punishments and rules in reference to adultery, polygamy, property in commerce, the nationality, the case of women who are widowed, and the status of the family home.” Another concern refers to the fact that the Law “has no punishment for someone who rapes a woman, if he marries the victim afterwards.” Another area that shows discrimination against woman and girls is in the age of marriage. While for men, it is 18 years of age, for women it is 16. The Commission is thus asking that “the minimum age for marriage be increased to 18 years of age.”
The Commission also encourages an “improved schooling policy for women, who are the most illiterate among the population.” A firm and clear denunciation is made for the “violence against women and girls, which is perpetuated within the walls of the home by husbands and other male relatives.” Even more worthy of condemnation is the fact that “there is still no specific law against these forms of violence and this leads to a silence that makes these acts seem socially legitimate, and it seems that they are supported by a culture of silence and impunity.”
The Commission expresses another concern for all the “forms of torture and physical suffering against women, such as the mutilation of female genital organs and the burning of the womb, which still continue to occur in rural areas.” A final concern was made for the “traffic and exploitation in prostitution.” They acknowledge that the State has made “significant progress in fighting the trafficking of children and their exploitation,” however they show concern for the increase in the trafficking and exploitation in prostitution.”Among with proper informational policies and an authentic fight against it, there is also a need to create a system of monitoring the statistical progress of the phenomenon. The Commission asks the State of Cameroon to place attention to the concerns that it has manifested, in the time that remains before its following report in 2011. (MT) (Agenzia Fides 18/03/2009)
