Nearly 70 Women Killed in Cameroon This Year as Femicide Protests Intensify
Nearly 70 women have been killed in Cameroon in 2026 for reasons linked to their gender, according to the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, prompting protests and renewed demands for stronger legal protections against gender-based violence.
The rising toll has intensified calls for the government to introduce specific legislation criminalising femicide, the killing of women and girls because of their gender. Demonstrations have taken place in major cities, including Yaoundé and Douala, with protesters demanding justice for victims and accountability for perpetrators.
One case drawing national attention is that of Geraldine Achiah, an elementary school teacher in her 30s who died in September, less than two months after her marriage. Her relatives allege that her husband beat her following a marital dispute. He has denied killing her and is awaiting trial on a murder charge.
The ministry’s figures indicate an increase in reported gender-related killings, from at least 50 in 2023 to 67 in 2024. Activists warn that the actual toll could be higher because some cases remain unsolved or go unreported.
Women’s Affairs Minister Marie-Thérèse Abena Ondoa has described the situation as alarming, while acknowledging that economic hardship can leave some women financially dependent on abusive partners and make it harder for them to leave violent relationships.
Cameroon’s existing Penal Code addresses offences such as murder and assault but does not specifically define femicide as a separate crime. The government is preparing a bill intended to establish femicide as a distinct criminal offence and strengthen protections against gender-based violence, with parliamentary consideration expected in November.
Campaigners say legal reform must also be accompanied by effective investigations, timely trials and support for survivors of domestic abuse.
The growing protests have placed pressure on authorities to turn their promises into concrete action as families seek justice and campaigners demand measures to prevent further killings.
