As Cameroon commemorates International Women’s Day, concerns over escalating violence against women have taken center stage in national discourse. Speaking on the flagship Sunday program Cameroon Calling on the state broadcaster Cameroon Radio Television, women’s rights advocate, Omam Njomo Esther described the situation as a growing social crisis that demands urgent attention from government, civil society, and communities alike.
Omam Esther, the Executive Director of Reach Out Cameroon and Country Chair for G100 Monitoring and Motivation in Cameroon, warned that violence against women is no longer an isolated occurrence but a troubling pattern affecting homes, relationships, and communities. “When women and girls cannot feel safe where they live or with the people closest to them, it means something is fundamentally wrong in society,” she said during the interview.
A Crisis Emerging from the Shadows
Recent figures on femicide and domestic violence have shocked many observers. For the Buea-based global peace champion, the statistics reveal what has long been hidden. “These figures are a revelation of a crisis that has existed for a long time but was not fully acknowledged,” she said. “If we do not confront it decisively and put measures in place to eradicate the practice, we will continue to witness tragic consequences.”
Her remarks come amid reports that 19 women and girls have lost their lives in violent circumstances in less than three months, a development that has intensified calls for stronger protections.
Addressing the Root Causes
Omam Esther who was recently named "The Light of Women" by the Boa Bamusso people, rejected suggestions that violence is a reaction to women’s growing independence. Instead, she attributed the problem to deeper structural issues. “The real issue lies in unequal power relations, harmful social norms, frustration, and the normalization of violence as a way of resolving conflicts,” she explained.
To address these root causes, she called for comprehensive education beginning in early childhood, both in schools and in communities, emphasizing that awareness campaigns must move beyond symbolic gestures to produce real social change. “We must ask ourselves whether our education efforts truly transform attitudes or if they are simply routine messages repeated without impact,” she said.
Mental Health and Family Support
While most femicide cases involve male perpetrators, often intimate partners, the Reach Out Cameroon Executive Director, acknowledged that some recent tragedies point to broader social pressures, including mental health challenges.
One widely discussed case in Yaoundé, where a mother reportedly took the lives of her children before ending her own, underscores the need for stronger psychosocial support systems. “These situations reveal deep distress and a lack of adequate support,” Omam Esther said. “Society must take mental health and family assistance far more seriously.”
Technology and Domestic Control
Another emerging concern is the misuse of technology within relationships. She noted that digital tools, including mobile phones and social media, are sometimes used to monitor or control partners. “Technology can improve lives, but when trust is absent, it becomes a tool for abuse,” she said.
“Constant surveillance, hacking accounts, or monitoring a partner’s phone reflects insecurity and possessiveness.”
She stressed that healthy relationships must be built on trust rather than control.
Laws Without Enforcement
Cameroon already has legislation criminalizing various forms of gender-based violence, but Esther Omam argued that enforcement remains inconsistent. “We have strong laws on paper,” she said. “The question is whether they are applied firmly and swiftly.”
She warned that weak judicial responses or corruption can create a sense of impunity among offenders. According to her, strengthening the justice system and ensuring accountability are essential steps toward deterring future crimes.
Civic Space and the Role of the Media
She also highlighted challenges faced by journalists and activists working on gender issues. Restrictions in civic space, she said, can discourage individuals from speaking openly about violence. “When journalists and whistle-blowers cannot speak freely, society loses an important line of defence,” she noted.
Nevertheless, she encouraged media outlets and civil society organizations to continue raising awareness and advocating for victims. “When the media consistently highlight these issues, perpetrators begin to fear exposure and consequences.”
Breaking the Culture of Silence
A significant barrier to addressing domestic violence is the reluctance of victims to report abuse. Many women remain silent due to stigma, fear of social judgment, or concern for their children.
Omam Esther urged women and girls to seek help and reject the shame often associated with speaking out. “Victims must know that they are not alone,” she said. “When you are in an abusive relationship, you have the right to speak out and seek support.”
However, she also acknowledged that institutional responses sometimes fall short, discouraging survivors from seeking help.
Reflection on Women’s Day
Despite ongoing concerns, she believes that commemorating International Women’s Day remains important. For her, the occasion should combine celebration with honest reflection. “It is a time to recognize progress in women’s empowerment but also a moment to confront the challenges that remain,” she said.
Ultimately, Omam Esther emphasized that addressing violence against women requires a collective effort involving government institutions, civil society groups, families, and individuals. “Ending violence against women is not the responsibility of the government alone,” she concluded. “Every member of society has a role to play in building safer communities for women and girls.”
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