A recent surge in femicides in Cameroon has ignited public outrage and drawn criticism of the government's perceived inaction. At least eight women have been killed in separate incidents across the country within a single week, primarily attributed to domestic violence.
Renowned Cameroonian footballer Ajara Nchout Njoya has spoken out against the killings, stating, "Silence is complicity." The opposition Cameroon Renaissance Movement (CRM) party also issued a statement expressing outrage over the "tragic recurrence of domestic femicides" and accusing the government of passivity.
The Minister for Women's Empowerment and the Family, Marie-Thérèse Abena Ondoa, has condemned the rise in killings, describing it as "worrying." She stated that the government is working to address the problem and mentioned a bill aimed at protecting women against gender-based violence that is currently under review by the prime minister.
However, civil society groups and women's rights organizations have voiced concerns over the government's delay in enacting the proposed legislation. Viviane Tathi, whose organization documents femicide cases in Cameroon, expressed uncertainty about the bill's passage during the upcoming November parliamentary session, which is primarily focused on budgetary debates. "We are worried because the November parliamentary session focuses on budgetary debates…So, we don't know by what magic this bill will be passed," Tathi told the BBC.
She has also called for the establishment of a special court to handle domestic disputes that often escalate into violence.