OGCEYOD Cameroon on Break the Chain of Sexual Violence against Women in Cameroon, Littoral Region 2

Facts and Figures
• 35% of women and girls globally experience some form of physical and or sexual violence in their lifetime with up to seven in ten women facing this abuse in some countries.
• It is estimated that up to 30 million girls under the age of 15 remain at risk from FGM/C, and more than 130 million girls and women have undergone the procedure worldwide.
• Worldwide, more than 700 million women alive today were married as children, 250 million of whom were married before the age of 15. Girls who marry before the age of 18 are less likely to complete their education and more likely to experience domestic violence and complications in childbirth.
• The costs and consequence of violence against women last for generations.

Estimates say about 500,000 women are subject to sexual violence in Cameroon annually. Other estimates put the figures for rape and domestic violence at about 14% and 39% respectively. Rape is prevalent and little is done to discourage perpetrators. The project aims at sensitising women, men and youth groups in the South West and Littoral regions on sexual violence, its impact and and the need for change. We are targeting men’s groups like the drivers’ union and other high risk groups to dialogue and sensitise them on violence against women.

The project will reach out to women in communities, religious, and social groups on the rights and remedies to sexual violence. Students will be targeted via schools and unions as they are at the receiving/indoctrinated end of cultural attitudes towards women. Exciting arts competitions will be used to educate and empower them on the topic of violence against women and foster a change in attitudes. The engagement will raise campaigners against sexual violence and halt future actions of violence by educating the younger generation.
The provisions of the law and Cameroon’s human rights obligations on sexual violence will be exposed to potential perpetrators and enforcers to help reduce the crime. Influencers in the community (police, justice, health departments) will carry messages on zero tolerance of sexual violence.

The project aims at identifying local legal, social and health resources for victims and potential victims of sexual violence to turn to for support.

The Arts competition and Sensitization workshops will be launched on the 25th of November 2014 which also marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. This Campaign is extending Orange Day to 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, from 4th to 20th December 2014, through December 10, Human Rights Day.

This Initiative is funded by the British High Commission, Yaounde.

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