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Women
are the principle care takers of Cameroon's next generations. They also
play a central role in the country's productive sectors. As a result,
retrograde traditions and practices not only curb women's own
development, but hamper progress for Cameroonian society as a whole. At
all social levels widows undergo physical, emotional and economic harm
from their deceased husbands' family. Rural women are deprived from
land ownership. When resources are limited families tend to favor the
educational needs of boys above the girls'. No legislation holds men
accountable when they abandon their wives without provisions for their
children's needs. Precocious sexual activities resulting in teenage
pregnancies interrupt education for girls. It also makes them a
particularly vulnerable group for attracting AIDS. Access to family
planning and STD/AIDS prevention is limited. Options offered by
churches (abstinence) or censured by them (contraceptives) compound
this problem. Changes in the status quo are unlikely to occur because
of underrepresentation of women at all decision making levels in
society. An active and enforced legislation on family issues is needed
to change the plight of Cameroonian women and children.
RELUFA's Capacity building program
- Women empowerment for self-expression and self-development
- Awareness building activities on implications of gender discrimination in Cameroon
- Status enhancing training activities
- Training on women's juridical rights
- Training in advocacy and lobbying techniques
RELUFA's Strategic program activities
- Expert study on the Position of Women in Cameroonian Society
- Public Awareness building on women rights
- Participative reflection to improve the status of women
- Juridical consultations
- Campaigning for Gender Equality
- Lobbying with local authorities and Parliament
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VULNERABLE GROUPS
Rural women
Widows
Girls in the northern provinces.
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