Violence against women and girls featured amongst pressing national concerns during a plenary sitting of the National Assembly on 19 June, devoted to parlaimentary oversight.
Among the issues raised was the persistent occurrence of feminicides and the measures being implemented by the State to protect women and strengthen the response to gender-based violence.
The question was raised by Hon. Toukam Tela Angèle Sandio, who sought clarification from the Minister of Women’s Empowerment and the Family on the government’s strategy to address cases of extreme violence against women and the challenges limiting efforts to curb the phenomenon.
Minister Marie Therese Abena Ondoa acknowledged the seriousness of violence against women and girls, describing it as a major social challenge requiring coordinated action from public institutions, communities, families and development partners. She stressed that while several measures have been taken, cases of violence continue to demand sustained efforts in prevention, protection and response.The Minister outlined government actions built around strengthening awareness, improving assistance to survivors and enhancing mechanisms for reporting and handling cases. She explained that prevention efforts involve collaboration with communities, schools, youth organisations and other stakeholders to address behaviours and social factors that contribute to violence against women.
On victim support, she highlighted the establishment of protection mechanisms, including safe spaces created to assist survivors of violence and facilitate their recovery and reintegration into society. According to the Minister, 45 such spaces are currently operational across the country.She further pointed to the creation of Gender Desks within police stations and gendarmerie units as part of efforts to improve the handling of gender-based violence cases. These specialised structures provide a framework for better assistance to victims and follow-up of reported cases, with 28 Gender Desks currently in place.
Concerned by the gaps in awareness among victims on available reporting channels and reluctance by some survivors to seek justice the Minister said the government plans to continue improving coordination mechanisms, strengthen data collection and pursue the adoption of a draft law specifically addressing gender-based violence.The parliamentary exchange comes amid growing calls for stronger action against violence targeting women, with lawmakers using the oversight session to seek greater accountability and ensure that government policies translate into concrete protection measures for vulnerable populations.
Claudette Chin
