OGCEYOD Cameroon: International Day of the Woman 2020 Pt 1

THEME: PROMOTING GENDER EQUALITY AND PROTECTING WOMEN’S RIGHTS BY 2020; TAKING STOCK OF ACTIONS UNDERTAKEN, SETTING A NEW COURSE.

Attaining equality between women and men and eliminating all forms of discrimination against women are fundamental human rights and United Nations values. Women around the world nevertheless regularly suffer violations of their human rights throughout their lives, and realizing women’s human rights has not always been a priority. Achieving equality between women and men requires a comprehensive understanding of the ways in which women experience discrimination and are denied equality so as to develop appropriate strategies to eliminate such discrimination.
Due to the fact that Cameroon like other country is a signatory to many international treaties for instance the African charter on the right and welfare of the child, the universal declaration of human rights, the convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women, the convention against torture and inhumane treatment and many others has helped shaped the life of many women and has crop setting ill practices, create gender equality among men and women, a reduction on gender base violence among others.
WOMEN’S RIGHTS SUCCESSES IN CAMEROON

WOMEN’S RIGHT IN MARRIAGES
(1) The June 1981 civil status ordinance for instance has legislation that advances women’s course and individuality. Notably are article 52(4) recognizes a woman right to consent of marriage which is of great help and has shaped the course of many marriages today. At first a woman’s consent was not taken into consideration in terms of marriages. Parents were the ones taken decisions for their girl child; this led to early child marriages, forced marriages, resulting into high rate of teenage pregnancy, physical violence among others. We see now that women and girls have a voice when it comes to matter that affect their life, they are aspired in going to school than getting married .we can see that in the northern part in Cameroon there is a reduction in early child marriages in those areas

WOMEN RIGHT IN EDUCATION
(2) According to the African Charter on the right and welfare of the child in article12 (-2B) states the promotion of education and training for women at all levels and in all disciplines particularly in the field of science and technology. This declaration aims at universal primary education, improvement of literacy of men and women in all areas. At first women were just meant to get married and bear children. A woman’s place was in the kitchen while the boys go to school. But today thanks to these declarations, we have as much girls going to school as boys even in rural areas. The enrollment of girls in school is enormous, this has cropped illiteracy. Thus the impact on human right in education plays a great role as seen in our society and communities, most especially the girl child taking lead roles such as becoming doctors, professors like professor Joyce Endely, vice chancellor of ENSET Kumba, Dr Nalova Lyonga former vice chancellor of the University of Buea and the current Minister of Secondary Education as a result of women effective participation in the educational sector.

WOMEN’S RIGHT IN PUBLIC AND POLITICAL LIFE
(3) The convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against women (CEDAW) enforced on the 3 September 1981 re affirms faith in fundamental human right. Article7 states, parties shall take all appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination against women in the political and public life of the country and shall ensure to women on equal terms with men. 7a states the right to vote in all elections and public referendum and to be eligible for election to all publicly elected bodies.7b states to participate in the formation of government policy and implementation and to hold public office and perform public functions at all levels of government.
In Cameroon, Africa and the world in general we see women taking part in political sectors, women in parliament, women performing public functions and formulating government policies. There are 56 women among 180 members (31%) of the parliament in 2013. We see women in the forefront in politics and handling lead role in the government who are creating impact and causing change in our country. For instance, Kah Walah presidential candidate 2011, madam Irene Pauline Nguene Minister of Social Affairs, Madam Marie Therese Abena Ondoua Minister for the Empowerment of women and the family, Koulsoumi Boukar Alhaji is the Secretary of State at the Ministry of forestry and wildlife and Sarah Etonde queen of the mountain. Notwithstanding women have also increased in the police and army which were traditionally perceived as masculine field.

Organisation for Gender, Civic Engagement and Youth Development (OGCEYOD)
P.O. Box 467, Limbe
South West Region, Cameroon
Tel: (+237)674215497
Email: ogceyod@yahoo.com , projects@ogceyod.org
Website: www.ogceyod.com

source