CDHC: Satisfied with a draft bill on the fight against violence against women
On the occasion of the 39th edition of International Women's Rights Day which is celebrated on March 8, 2024 under the theme: "Investing in women: Accelerate the pace", the Commission notes that, despite the consecration of the gender equality in the preamble to the Constitution of Cameroon of January 18, 1996 and in numerous African and universal instruments ratified by the State of Cameroon or to which it is subject.
In Cameroonian society, there is an increase in violations of women's rights considered to be the weak link.
The CDHC welcomes the publication of Circular No. 2023/001 of August 30, 2023 from the President of the Republic relating to the preparation of the State budget for the 2024 financial year which reaffirmed the integration of the approach gender-responsive budgeting as a priority in all sectors of national development, specifying the modalities for taking it into account.
Subsequently, the Human Rights Commission welcomes the development of a preliminary draft law on the fight against violence against women and children to strengthen the existing normative framework, in order to compensate for the increase in violence done to women observed during the year 2023, with fifty-six (56) cases of femicide recorded.
The CDHC notes with satisfaction that the number of women supported economically by MINPROFF increased from six thousand five hundred (6,500) to seven thousand five hundred (7,500) women receiving support. The Commission remains concerned by the worrying rise in gender-based violence in Cameroon where the MINPROFF, in its CDMT 2023-2025, estimates three thousand (3,000) cases of GBV for the year 2022 and thirty- five thousand (35,000) for the year 2023.”
Since the first summit in Mexico in 1975, followed by that of Copenhagen, then Nairobi and finally Beijing, progress has been notable in the protection of women's rights but much remains to be done.
The human rights institute recommends that public authorities strengthen the system for repressing gender-based violence and harmful practices against women and young girls, in particular by bringing the process of developing the -bill relating to the fight against violence against women and children.
Finally, she invites populations in general and parents in particular to place greater emphasis on the education of young girls in the same way as that of young boys whose future actions very often reflect failures in the transmission of human values. in the family environment.
While wishing all women a happy celebration, let us be architects of their protection in our environment and talk about the toll-free number 1523 around us.
Clément Noumsi
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