Action Against Femicide: Early Education, Civic Responsibility As Crucial Pathways

In response to an alarming surge in intimate partner fatalities and gender-based crimes across the country, cross-sector stakeholders in Cameroon - spanning cabinet ministers, opposition parliamentarians, civil society groups, and grassroots educators - have mobilized multi-pronged proposals to stem the crisis.

Over 100 Women Killed

Official data presented to the National Assembly by the Minister of Women’s Empowerment and the Family, MINPROFF, Prof. Marie-Thérèse Abena Ondoa, revealed that 50 cases of femicide were officially recorded in the country between January and April 2026 alone. By September 2026, State evaluations and civil society trackers confirmed that over 120 women have been killed by intimate partners. Or family members since the beginning of the year, including a tragic eight-day period in which 10 women lost their lives.

First Lady Takes Stance

First Lady Mrs. Chantal Biya on March 8, 2026 condemned femicides and Gender-Based Violence on the occasion of the observance of the 41st International Women’s Day. In the official statement published by Synergies Africaines Contre le SIDA et la Souffrance, of which the First Lady is Founding President, Mrs. Biya said amongst others. The excerpts:

"Nothing, absolutely nothing, justifies the murder of a woman!"  "This cry from the heart that I am making today is that of a woman, a mother, a wife. It is a vibrant call to action to end all forms of violence against women and girls."  "Women are not objects at the mercy of men... Let us, men and women, mobilize together to build a more just and egalitarian society!" Mrs. Biya pleaded.

MINPROFF In Forefront

Prof. Marie-Thérèse Abena Ondoa, Minister of Women’s Empowerment and the Family, MINPROFF, advanced a dedicated standalone draft bill on violence against women and children. To penalize femicide outside the general Penal Code.

Prof. Marie-Thérèse Abena Ondoa also launched a three-month national campaign against femicide, expressed strong reservations against "out-of-court" traditional settlements for domestic abuse. And urged the operationalization of 45 secure safe spaces alongside 28 specialized Gender Desks in police and gendarmerie stations.

Social Democratic Front Proposal

The Social Democratic Front, SDF party and its leader, Hon. Joshua Osih, tabled a Private Member’s Bill on the Prevention, Protection, Prosecution, and Care of Victims of Femicide and Violence Against Women during the June 2026 session of the National Assembly. The SDF's framework proposes legally defining femicide as a distinct criminal offense, establishing immediate restraining orders, and creating State-funded support networks.

Grassroots Educators

Ngwayi Marcel Ngwayi, a Mathematics Teacher in Government Bilingual High School, GBHS Nkambe in Donga Mantung Division of the North West Region has submitted a formal policy memorandum on September 2, 2026, to the Minister of Secondary Education, MINESEC. Proposing the integration of a structured “Femicide and Gender-Based Violence Prevention Education Programme” into the national secondary school curriculum.

Highlights Of Ngwayi’s Proposal

In his memorandum to the Minister of Secondary Education, Ngwayi Marcel Ngwayi argues that long-term prevention must begin in the classroom. By shaping the values and attitudes of young people before violent behaviors take root. In summary, Ngwayi proposes integrating GBV prevention into Civic Education, Guidance and Counselling, Religious and Moral Education, Literature, Social Sciences, Life Skills, and Mathematics.

The Way Ahead

Ngwayi recommends leveraging Statistics, Probability, Mathematical Modelling, Graphs, Percentages, and Rates to teach students how to examine trends, analyze anonymised data, assess risks. And evaluate preventive measures. His 10-point educational roadmap focuses on teaching human dignity, emotional control, identifying warning signs (stalking, coercive control, extreme jealousy). Empowering girls to report threats, guiding boys toward positive masculinity, and strengthening the diagnostic role of guidance counsellors.

10-Point Educational Roadmap

The 10-point educational roadmap proposed by Ngwayi Marcel Ngwayi recommends teaching learners to reject abuse and the objectification of women and girls. Equipping students with skills in anger management, emotional control, and non-violent communication. Sensitizing students and teachers to recognize red flags like stalking, coercive control, extreme jealousy, and physical abuse. Training vulnerable learners to seek help and report threats through secure channels.