Cameroon Faces Rising Tide of Femicide Amid Protests and Calls for Legal Reform

Cameroon is grappling with a disturbing rise in femicide, the killing of women and girls for gender-related reasons, prompting widespread protests and urgent calls for government action. This year, nearly 70 women have been killed under such circumstances, a significant increase from the estimated 50 in 2023 and 67 in 2024, according to the Ministry of Women's Affairs.

One recent victim, Geraldine Achiah, an elementary school teacher in her 30s, died in September, two months after her marriage. Her relatives allege her husband beat her during a marital dispute, leading to her death. Her son, Courage Abombi, 18, remembers his mother's support for his aspirations, lamenting her "unexpected and painful death." He faced the difficult task of taking a university entrance exam the day after her burial.

Manfred Amambua, Achiah's husband, has denied the accusations, but police have charged him with murder, and he is currently in jail awaiting trial. Hospital records indicated Achiah had sustained "several bruises on her face and lips" before her death, and investigators gathered evidence including phone footage and a blood-stained bedsheet.

Activists point to economic dependence, unequal control over family property, and a lack of adequate laws in Cameroon's patriarchal society as key drivers of femicide. These issues reflect a broader global pattern, with the U.N. estimating that approximately 50,000 women and girls worldwide were killed by intimate partners or relatives in 2024.

Marie-Thérèse Abena Ondoa, Cameroon's Minister of Women's Affairs, described the current situation as "cruel" and "alarming," promising increased government intervention. She noted that the country's economic challenges exacerbate the problem, often compelling women to endure violence in hopes of marital change.

A significant hurdle identified by activists is the inadequacy of Cameroon's legal framework. While the Penal Code addresses crimes like rape, it lacks explicit provisions for femicide. Judges currently rely on general laws concerning harmful acts, a situation mirrored in many other African nations where femicide is treated under general homicide statutes.

In response, the Cameroonian government is developing a new bill to criminalize femicide as a distinct offense and enhance protections against gender-based violence. This proposed legislation is slated for parliamentary review in November.

However, activists caution that legal reform alone is insufficient. Carole Grace Mbarga, a Cameroonian rights activist, highlighted systemic barriers such as intimidation, corruption, and procedural errors that can delay investigations, weaken evidence, discourage witnesses, and lead to reduced charges or acquittals. Even when convictions occur, punishments are often perceived as lenient; in one case in 2025, a man convicted of killing his wife received a suspended five-year sentence and a fine of approximately $90.

Thousands have participated in anti-femicide protests in major cities like Douala and Yaounde, demanding greater governmental accountability. Organizers emphasize the need to address systemic issues and improve support for victims alongside legislative changes.

Regina Ngukum, Achiah's cousin, expressed the family's desire for justice, stating, "We want justice for our daughter who died a violent death. This was a teacher who imparted knowledge on thousands of young Cameroonians." Abombi, Achiah's son, continues to hope for justice, finding solace in his mother's comforting presence in his dreams.