Cameroon: Minister Therese Abena says discrimination against women a major hindrance to development

Cameroon joined the international community to commemorate the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on the 25th of November 2015. A major highlight of the event was a press briefing given by the Minister of Women Empowerment and the Family, Marie Therese Abena Ondoa in partnership with UNWomen and the Association for the Fight against Gender-based Violence in Cameroon. The Minister made public Cameroon government’s policy to enhance gender equality and the protection of women.

As part of the campaign to combat violence against women, the United Nations held its usual 16-day campaign dubbed “16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence”. The campaign which started on the 25th November 2015 will run through the 10th of December 2015 which is a Human Rights Day. The crusade will be highlighted by a number of concrete actions to sensitise the society on the need to protect the female gender.

Through the campaign, the U.N. and the Cameroon Minister for Women Empowerment wants governments and peoples to understand that all forms of discrimination against women are a major hindrance to the advancement of society. According to the U.N, 35 per cent of women worldwide are victims of physical and sexual abuse. The degree of discrimination varies from one country to another.