The case involving alleged sexual assault on a 4-year-old girl at Olympic Glory School in Odza, Yaoundé, continues to spark public outrage. A crisis meeting was held with the Governor of the Centre Region, Naseri Paul Bea, to assess the situation and take urgent measures. The Minister of Women's Empowerment and the Family (Minproff), Marie Thérèse Abena Ondoa, also participated in this meeting, highlighting the seriousness of the case for Cameroonian authorities.
The meeting brought together various administrative authorities and sector officials involved in child protection and monitoring of the case. Simultaneously, an administrative investigation commission was set up by the regional delegation of Basic Education for the Centre to verify the authenticity of the alleged facts concerning the student of the private institution.
The case broke out on social media, causing widespread concern among parents about the safety of their children in schools. Information relayed by activist N'zui Manto reported a possible rape on May 25, 2026, where parents discovered traces of blood on their 3-year-old child. The school allegedly refused to show CCTV footage and threatened to sue the family.
The direct involvement of the Governor and Minproff suggests important decisions to come regarding this case and potentially the operation of the institution. However, the authorities call for caution and respect for the presumption of innocence during the continuation of the investigations.
Sexual violence against minors remains a serious problem in Cameroon. A study conducted in Yaoundé between 1992 and 1997 revealed that 2.05% of children examined were victims of sexual abuse, with girls being the most affected (95.2%). In 2018, another study revealed that 7.7% of women aged 15–19 and 2.9% of men aged 15–49 had experienced sexual violence. UNICEF supports the Cameroonian government's efforts to strengthen child protection mechanisms.
