Camaroon's Feminicide Bill: 70 Women Dead, New Law Due in Parliament

Camaroonian women face a growing risk of death by gender-motivated violence as the country prepares to vote on a new legal framework. The Ministry of Women's Affairs reported that 70 women were killed for reasons linked to their gender in 2026. This figure exceeds the government's previous estimates of at least 50 cases in 2023 and 67 in 2024. The rising death toll has driven thousands of people to the streets in major cities like Douala and Yaoundé, demanding that the state act against a crisis activists describe as reaching a "cruel" and "alarming" scale.

The pressure for change follows the death of Geraldine Achiah, a primary school teacher who died in September. She had been married for only two months. Her 18-year-old son, Courage Abombi, said he had to take a university entrance exam the day after her burial. "My mom had an unexpected and painful death," Abombi stated. Hospital records obtained by the Associated Press showed Achiah had multiple bruises on her face and lips before her death. Police collected video footage of the couple after the alleged beating and a blood-stained sheet as evidence.

Manfred Amambua, Achiah's husband, has formally been accused of murder and is held in prison awaiting trial. The police reported that he denied killing his wife, while his attorney was unavailable for comment. Regina Ngukum, Achiah's cousin, said the family wants the killer to face the law. "We want justice for our daughter, who had a violent death," Ngukum said. She noted that Achiah taught thousands of young Cameroonian students.

Activists attribute the surge in killings to economic dependence and a lack of specific laws in a largely patriarchal society. Marie-Thérèse Abena Ondoa, the minister for women's affairs, recently told state television that limited resources often cause women to endure marriage violence in hope their husbands will change. "The current economic situation in the country does not help," she added. United Nations data indicates that 50,000 women and girls were killed by partners or family members in 2024, a global trend mirrored in Camaroon.

The current Penal Code covers crimes like rape but lacks a specific provision for feminicide. Judges must therefore apply general norms for violent acts. Carole Grace Mbarga, a Cameroonian activist living in the United States, pointed out that legal delays, intimidation, and corruption often lead to reduced charges or acquittals. "When investigations are prolonged, evidence deteriorates, witnesses lose confidence, and families become discouraged," Mbarga said. In 2025, a man who pleaded guilty to killing his wife received a five-year suspended sentence and a fine of 52,000 CFA francs, roughly 90 US dollars.

The government is drafting a bill that would define feminicide as a standalone criminal offense and strengthen general protections against gender-based violence. This text is scheduled for parliamentary consideration in November. Laura Sen, an organizer of the recent protests, said the law is necessary but not sufficient. The bill must be accompanied by efforts to address systemic barriers and improve support for victims. Many women who suffer domestic violence also face social stigma, particularly if they have children.

The case of Achiah has become a focal point for families seeking accountability. Abombi said he prays for justice for his mother and for the man who killed her to be held responsible. He described seeing her in his dreams, where she comforted him and told him to keep hope. The parliamentary vote on the new bill will determine whether Camaroon adopts a specific legal definition for these killings or continues to rely on general homicide statutes.