In brief
Cameroon's brutal femicide crisis has ignited a clarion call for change, as the country sees 50 women killed between January and April. Ajara Nchout Njoya, a 33‑year‑old international star, slammed silence as a complicity and demands unprecedented measures to protect women. The government cites an uptick in killings but says it is reviewing protective legislation, while civil society warns of legislative delays and advocates for a special court on domestic violence. The rising number of murders, including a recent hotel homicide in Yaoundé, underscores the urgent necessity for comprehensive reforms.
By Paul Njie, Yaoundé
At least eight women have been killed in a week, turning Cameroon’s capital into a spotlight of outrage.
Ajara Nchout Njoya, a 33‑year‑old star who has played in clubs ranging from Inter Milan to Atlético Madrid, has taken a bold stance. "Silence is complicity," she said in a public statement, urging the government to devise concrete measures to safeguard women.
The nation’s statistics reveal 50 femicides between January and April, up from 77 last year, a disturbing trend that has caught the attention of civil sponsors and political parties alike.
In a recent case, a 44‑year‑old woman was stabbed to death in a hotel room in Yaoundé; her assailant, a 22‑year‑old, was arrested.
Minister of Women’s Empowerment Marie‑Thérèse Abena Ondoa condemned the rise, noting the government is reviewing a new bill to protect women against gender‑based violence.
However, the opposition Cameroonian Renaissance Movement (CRM) has criticized the government’s perceived passivity, calling for immediate action.
Women's rights groups fear the bill’s defeat, especially as the November parliamentary session is viewed as a budgetary focus, with little chance for the bill to progress.
Viviane Tathi, a documentarian of femicide cases, has called for a special court devoted to domestic disputes that end in violence.
While officials claim efforts are underway, the provincial and national pressures continue, signaling an urgent DP that the nation cannot afford to ignore.
