Cameroon: Violence against women in Cameroon

Press Release
18/11/2003

The World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) expresses its concern
regarding violence against women in Cameroon at the 31st Session of the UN
Committee against Torture.

The UN Committee against Torture will start on 18 November 2003 its
examination of the implementation of the Convention against Torture and
other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment by Cameroon. On
that occasion, the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) submitted an
alternative country report entitled "Violence against Women in Cameroon"
in which it expressed grave concern at reports of violence against women
at the hands of both state officials and private individuals.

Reports show that the human rights situation in Cameroon is extremely poor
which is especially detrimental to the most vulnerable groups of society,
such as women. An analyses of the legal and socio-economic and political
status of women in Cameroon shows the link between the high levels of
violence against women in Cameroon and their low status in all aspects of
life. OMCT noticed the persistence of gender discriminatory provisions in
several laws and the discriminatory customary law, as well as the
prejudices and stereotypical attitudes concerning the role of women and
men in the family and society. These roles are based on the notion of the
superiority of men and the subordination of women. The low socio-economic
status of women, which is, for example, manifested by the high illiteracy
rate among women and low representation of women in politics, leaves women
more vulnerable to violence at the public and private levels in Cameroon.

OMCT is extremely concerned about the persisting reports of torture and
ill-treatment of prisoners, by state officials, arbitrary arrests and
detention, and extra-judicial killings and the impunity with which these
human rights violations are met.

Women in detention centres are particularly subjected to gender- specific
forms of torture such as rape and other forms of sexual violence by both
prison guards and other inmates. Women and men are detained in the same
cells. According to reliable reports, there are cases in which women have
been housed naked in mixed cells with men, stripped naked, stripped naked
and forced to dance, their bodies insulted and mocked or forced to stand
in the sun naked. When the method of torture consists of rape or sexual
assault, it is less likely that the victim will complain out of fear and
shame, thus leading to the negation of this violation and the impunity of
the torturer.

Violence against women in the family is also a grave problem in Cameroon.
Often the parents of the bride are paid a "bride price" by the husband.
This has led men to regard their wife as property for which they have paid
and the men and his family feel entitled to the physical labour of the
wife. It makes it also extremely difficult for a woman to divorce from her
husband. OMCT noted that the Government has failed to take decisive action
to combat the problem, such as passing legislation specifically
prohibiting domestic violence abuse or training officials so that they
understand the complexities of issues surrounding this type of abuse.
Moreover, there has been no awareness raising campaign at the Government
level in order to eliminate domestic violence against women.

Overall, the government of Cameroon fails to protect women from violence
whether at the hands of private individuals or state officials. OMCT's
report concluded that while Cameroon has a duty under international law to
act with due diligence to prevent, investigate, prosecute and punish all
forms of violence against women, irrespective of whether this violence is
committed by public or private individuals, this obligation has not been
adequately implemented at the national level.

For copies of the alternative report on "Violence against Women in
Cameroon" or for further information on OMCT's programme on Violence
against Women please contact Carin Benninger-Budel at + 41 22 809 4939 or
[email protected].