A two-year project on violence against women in the North West and South West Regions has been launched.

This project was launched by the Martin Luther King Junior Memorial Foundation (LUKMEF) in partnership with the European Union (EU). The event, which took place recently in the Amphi 150 C of the University of Buea, has as primary objective to build local partnership to end gender-based violence in the North West and South West Regions.

According to LUKMEF, a report presented by Cameroon at the 57th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women revealed that 55 per cent of them have experienced physical violence; 20 per cent sexual violence; 21 per cent both physical and sexual violence; and 60 per cent physical, sexual and emotional violence.

Moreover, 43 per cent of women who have experienced marital violence have had serious injuries; 24 per cent of girls have suffered breast ironing; 1.4 per cent of women and girls have undergone female genital mutilation and 35-75 per cent of girls below 18 years were forced into marriage.

LUKMEF’s Chief Executive Officer, Tanyi Christian, explained that FCFA 138 million has been put in place for the project. The funding comes from LUKMEF and EU.

Also, 15 communities each have been chosen in the North West and South West Regions to benefit. Beneficiaries include indigenous women, especially minority groups like the Mbororos, HIV-infected women, economically-disadvantaged women, victims of gender-based violence, youths and community leaders.

“We are working to make sure that the sustainability of this programme is guaranteed long after the end of funding from the EU,” Tanyi Christian pointed out.

Tata Julius, the representative of the Governor of the South West Region at the event, told Cameroon Tribune that government has put in place strategies to promote gender and also eliminate gender-based violence. He disclosed that there is a Regional Task Force in charge of combating the trafficking of women and children.

A sketch by students of the Department of Women and Gender Studies of the University of Buea on some forms of violence endured by women and girls graced the launch.

At the end of the event, LUKMEF held a discussion with associations, NGOs and traditional rulers on the role of women in development.