Cameroon Sees Spike in Femicide Cases, Triggering Nationwide Protests

YAOUNDE, Cameroon — Geraldine Achiah, an elementary school teacher in her 30s, died barely two months after marrying in September. Her relatives allege her husband beat her over a marital dispute and are seeking justice, calling it a gender‑based crime.

Her only child, 18‑year‑old Courage Abombi, recalls her mother’s encouragement as he pursues his dream of becoming a mechanical engineer. “My mom died an unexpected and painful death,” said Abombi, who took a university entrance exam a day after his mother’s burial.

Achiah is among nearly 70 women killed in Cameroon this year for gender‑related reasons, according to the Ministry of Women’s Affairs. This represents an increase from at least 50 reported cases in 2023 and 67 in 2024. The rising toll has sparked protests and calls for government action, as many killings remain unsolved or unreported.

Police say Manfred Amambua, Achiah’s husband, has denied killing her. He has been charged with murder and is awaiting trial.

Cameroon’s femicide crisis — the killing of women and girls because of their gender — is driven primarily by economic dependence, unequal control over family property, and weak legislation in a largely patriarchal society, activists say. The situation mirrors a global pattern, with U.N. data estimating that 50,000 women and girls worldwide were killed by intimate partners or relatives in 2024.

Femicide rates in Cameroon have reached a “cruel” and “alarming” level, Women’s Affairs Minister Marie‑Thérèse Abena Ondoa told state media, pledging stronger government action. “The current economic situation is not helping matters. With limited resources, many women endure violence in marriage, hoping their partners will change — which rarely happens,” she added.

Activists point to inadequate laws and a flawed judicial system as root causes. While Cameroon’s Penal Code criminalizes offenses like rape, it lacks explicit provisions on femicide, forcing judges to apply general statutes.

This gap is common across many African nations, where femicide is typically addressed through standard homicide laws rather than as a distinct crime, though some countries have begun adopting limited legal or policy measures.

The Cameroonian government is drafting a new bill that would define femicide as a standalone offense and broaden protections against gender‑based violence. Rights groups view this legislation as a necessary but insufficient step to halt the killings.

Even when cases are filed, delays and tactics such as intimidation, corruption, and procedural errors often hinder progress, said rights activist Carole Grace Mbarga. “When investigations drag on, evidence deteriorates, witnesses lose confidence, and families become discouraged,” she explained.

When convictions do occur, penalties are often lenient. In 2025, a man who pleaded guilty to murdering his wife received a suspended five‑year sentence and a fine of 52,000 CFA francs (about $90).

Family and friends gathered in Yaoundé for Achiah’s burial; she had married her husband just two months earlier, in July.

Her relatives said they are mourning not only their loved one but also advocating for justice for all femicide victims.

“I pray that justice will follow its due course and that her killer will face the law,” Abombi said.

Hospital records obtained by the Associated Press show that Achiah had “several bruises on her face and lips” before her death.

Investigator Ndzana Bienvenu reported that police collected additional evidence, including phone footage of Achiah and her husband after the alleged beating and a blood‑stained bedsheet.

“We want justice for our daughter who died a violent death. She was a teacher who educated thousands of young Cameroonians,” said Regina Ngukum, Achiah’s cousin.

Anti‑femicide protests have erupted in major cities such as Douala and Yaoundé, with thousands demanding stronger government action.

The proposed femicide legislation is slated for parliamentary review in November. However, activists like protest organizer Laura Sen stress that legal reforms must be accompanied by systemic changes and better support services for victims.

Many Cameroonian women facing domestic violence confront not only hardship but also social stigma, particularly when they have children.

Speaking about his mother’s case, Achiah’s son said he continues to pray for justice: “That her killer will face the law.”

“She keeps appearing to me in a dream, consoling me not to despair and that she is still with me,” he added.

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