Camerun Women Face Record Killings
Nearly 70 women died this year as lawmakers prepare a new bill to define femicide as a distinct crime.
By Megan Ivanov ·
Camerun has recorded nearly 70 gender-related killings of women this year. The Ministry of Women's Affairs confirmed the figure on Sunday. This number exceeds the government's estimate of 67 deaths in 2024 and 50 in 2023.
The rise in violence has triggered protests in major cities. Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets in Douala and Yaounde. They demand stronger government action to stop the killings.
A recent death has drawn national attention. Geraldine Achiah, a primary school teacher in her thirties, died in September. Her family alleges her husband, Manfred Amambua, beat her during a marital dispute. She had married him just two months before her death.
Amambua denies the charge. Police say he is formally accused of murder and remains in custody. His lawyer did not return calls for comment. Hospital records obtained by the Associated Press noted multiple bruises on Achiah's face and lips prior to her death.
Activists point to economic dependence and weak legal protections as root causes. The country's Penal Code does not specifically define femicide. Judges must apply general laws on violent acts. This leaves prosecutors with fewer tools to secure convictions.
Marie-Thérèse Abena Ondoa, the minister for women's affairs, called the trend cruel and alarming. She promised greater state intervention. She noted that limited resources often force women to endure abuse in hopes of change.
The government is drafting a new law to address this gap. The bill would classify femicide as a standalone criminal offense. It would also strengthen broader protections against gender-based violence. Parliament is scheduled to review the proposal this month.
Carole Grace Mbarga, a rights activist based in the United States, warned that delays in the judicial system hinder justice. Intimidation and procedural errors often lead to reduced charges or acquittals. She stated that prolonged investigations cause evidence to degrade and witnesses to lose confidence.
Penalties in confirmed cases remain low. In 2025, a man pleaded guilty to killing his wife. He received a suspended five-year sentence and a fine of 52,000 CFA francs. Laura Sen, an organizer of the recent marches, said the law is a start but systemic barriers remain.
Achiah's son, Courage Abombi, sat for a university entrance exam the day after his mother's burial. He said he prays for legal accountability. He wants the perpetrator held responsible under the law.
Source: Greenwich Time
