The importance of gender equality in Cameroon

Gender equality is a crucial topic in Cameroon, a country where women still face many challenges and inequalities. Although progress has been made in recent years, much remains to be done to ensure true parity between men and women in all areas of society.

Access to education and employment

One of the main challenges to gender equality in Cameroon is access to education and employment. Despite efforts to increase the number of girls in school, many young Cameroonian women still do not have the opportunity to attend school or pursue higher education. Families often prioritize the education of boys, considering that girls will have the primary role of caring for the home and children anyway.

This inequality of access to education then translates into difficulties for women to find employment, especially in certain sectors traditionally dominated by men. Although the law guarantees professional equality, discrimination in hiring and career advancement unfortunately remains frequent.

Female entrepreneurship, a lever for emancipation

Fortunately, more and more Cameroonian women are getting involved in entrepreneurship, a way to emancipate themselves and gain financial independence. Initiatives like Cameroon Marketplace, an online platform dedicated to promoting local products and services, allow women entrepreneurs to make themselves known and develop their business.

Political representation of women

Another major challenge for gender equality in Cameroon concerns the political representation of women. Although the Constitution guarantees equal opportunities in politics, women remain largely underrepresented in decision-making positions, whether at the national, regional or local levels.

Only 31 women currently sit in the National Assembly out of a total of 180 deputies. In the government, there are only 5 female ministers out of 65 members. This low female representation in power structures has a direct impact on the consideration of issues related to gender equality in public policies.

The need for better representation

To address this situation, it is essential to further encourage women to engage in politics and offer them the same opportunities as men to access positions of responsibility. Quotas or incentive measures could be put in place to encourage better female representation.

The fight against violence against women

Finally, gender equality also involves the fight against violence against women, a scourge that is unfortunately still very present in Cameroon. Domestic violence, genital mutilation, forced marriages... Women suffer many forms of violence, often rooted in patriarchal traditions and mentalities.

Progress to be continued

Efforts have certainly been made in recent years to better prevent and punish such violence, including the adoption of more protective laws. But much remains to be done to change mentalities and allow women to live in a safe environment that respects their rights.

In conclusion, gender equality is a fundamental issue for the development and progress of Cameroon. Progress has been made, but many challenges remain to ensure true parity between men and women in all areas of society. This is a fight that concerns the entire Cameroonian population and must mobilize all stakeholders, from the government to civil society and the private sector.

Some key figures

• Only 31 women deputies out of 180 in the Cameroonian National Assembly
• 5 women ministers out of 65 members of the government
• 1 in 5 women have suffered domestic violence in Cameroon
• 1 in 5 women have been victims of genital mutilation
• Less than 30% of Cameroonian businesses are run by women

Useful resources

• Cameroon Marketplace website: www.cameroonmarketplace.com
• UN report on gender equality in Cameroon
• Practical guide “Women’s entrepreneurship in Cameroon”