Originally published April 3, 2006 in The Herald
The Gender Mainstreaming and Networking Organisation (GEMANO) a woman's equality non-governmental organisation, completed a three-day conference on widowhood rights and domestic violence last Friday. The conference was attended by several high ranking officials in a variety of fields, reflecting the multi-faceted nature of the problems facing widows in Cameroon.
Sally Weriwoh, president of the Yaounde-based GEMANO, said that widows in Cameroon are consistently denied their basic human rights when they are forced to endure cruel traditional practices. Examples of widow mistreatment include forced drinking of water used to cleanse the husband's corpse, not being allowed to bathe for the duration of the mourning period, the levirate rights which force the widows into marrying a relative of the husband, loss of property, and forced separation of children. The worst cases can result in death, torture, and permanent psychological trauma.
Gathering to fight this problem was a group of 25 professionals. They included magistrates, lawyers, psychologists, councillors, doctors, members of the gendarmie, police comissioners, social workers, and educationalists. Justice Mbale Goethe of the supreme court opened the conference as a representative of the National Commission for Human Rights and Freedoms.
The primary aim of the conference was to identify the causes of widow abuse and develop a plan of action for combating the problem. The conference members concluded that the abuses were a result of inhuman traditional practices and ignorance of human rights on the part of widows. Most often these practices are enforced by women who have themselves undergone the process of traditional widowhood. Weriwoh said that these practices should stop because they violate human rights, which are enshrined in Cameroonian and international law.
Efforts at correcting the problem are going to be directed at raising awareness among women of their rights and what to do when their rights are violated. According to Weriwoh, women have the right to say no to inhuman practices. They are entitled to mourn their husband however they want and should not be forced into anything by family or community members. Furthermore, they are entitled to the husband's property in a monogamous marriage and cannot be forced to remarry.
Educating women on these rights is the first step in the campaign. GEMANO plans to use all available means of communication including CRTV, primary and secondary school visits, and direct education in all ten provinces. Weriwoh wanted to further emphasise that there are institutions available to help women who feel that their rights are being violated. She listed the ministry of women's empowerment, the police, NGOs like GEMANO, the courts, and the national commission on human rights. She emphasised that women should not suffer because they are protected by the law.
The conference members acknowledged that ending widow abuse will not happen overnight, but they are optimistic that with improved education and awareness women will be empowered to insist on their human rights. It is their hope that in time Cameroon will become a country where every person, widows included, are treated fairly and equally.
