In response to the persistent prevalence of gender-based violence, the Cameroon Association of Female Jurists (ACAFEJ) is organizing a mega legal clinic on March 30, 2026. This initiative aims to inform, prevent, and support victims of violence, providing a space for listening and awareness open to women, men, and children.
The event will take place from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. and will address crucial themes such as the rights of women and widows, inheritance equality, violence prevention, and legal sanctions against perpetrators of these acts. In a context where violence remains largely underreported due to fear and stigmatization, this legal clinic aims to encourage reporting of cases.
According to the World Health Organization, nearly one in three women experiences violence in her lifetime, highlighting the global urgency of this issue. In Cameroon, feminist organizations are raising the alarm about the resurgence of femicides and the shortcomings of the judicial system. In 2024, 69 cases of femicide were recorded, compared to 56 in 2023, an increase of 23.2% in one year. The Ministry for the Promotion of Women and the Family emphasizes that these figures may be underestimated due to fear, family silence, social pressure, and distrust of institutions.
Through this action, ACAFEJ is part of a broader dynamic of changing mindsets and collective mobilization. Cameroon marked International Women's Day 2026 under the theme “Justice for all women and girls,” highlighting rights, access to justice, and protection. In January 2026, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) provided 7,400 sexual and reproductive health consultations and reached 4,699 people through awareness sessions on gender-based violence.
The Cameroonian government has been working since 2023 on a bill relating to gender-based violence, aimed at strengthening the protection of victims and increasing sanctions. A national strategy to combat gender-based violence has also been adopted, with the aim of reducing its prevalence by 50% by 2026. Despite these efforts, violence persists, highlighting a gap between public commitments and the daily reality for women and girls.
The ACAFEJ initiative represents a concrete effort to advance access to justice and combat impunity, in a context where violence against women remains a major challenge in Cameroon.
