The Society of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians of Cameroon (SOGOC), and some concerned persons, including media partners have expressed their commitment to end violence against women and girls in the country. They made the pledge in Yaounde on Monday, November 25 as the professional body launched the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence. It is an annual international campaign aimed at eliminating violence against women and girls.
Chaired by Dr Anny Ngassam, SOGOC’s Assistant Secretary General, the official launching ceremony included a strategic sensitization sports walk in some neighborhoods of the Yaounde One municipality.
SOGOC officials said the initiative underscores the urgent need for collective voices and actions to combat all forms of violence against women and girls, which according to Ngassam, takes many forms and is widespread throughout the country and the globe at large.
She said gender-based violence is not merely a statistic but a harsh reality for countless individuals worldwide. This violence, the SOGOC Assistant Secretary General said, takes various forms including physical and emotional.
Rape, domestic violence, harassment at work, abuse in school, female genital mutilation and sexual violence in armed conflicts are said to be some of the most common forms of gender-based violence in Cameroon and predominantly inflicted by men. These disproportionately affect women and girls, often leaving deep and lasting scars.
Crusade for access to safe abortion
According to Ngassam, the prevalence of gender-based violence is intricately linked with the sexual and reproductive health and rights of the Cameroonian woman.
“At SOGOC, we understand that access to safe abortion is a crucial aspect of women’s rights and health,” the Assistant Secretary General of the body said. “The refusal of safe abortion services constitute in itself a form of violence. This perpetuates cycles of trauma, poverty and inequality”.
Ngassam stated that when women cannot make decisions about their own bodies, they are subject to additional violence—both systemic and personal. She called for collective efforts to end the stereotype.
“We call on governments, communities and individuals to join us in this fight. Let’s work together to create a world where every woman and girl can live free from violence, where they have the autonomy to make decisions about their own bodies without fear or stigma,” Ngassam said.
SOGOC will use the 16 days activism to raise awareness and trigger action on the pervasive human rights violation of women. The professional body and partners will also use the campaign to advocate for policy changes that improve women’s access to safe abortion services.
“We must support survivors of gender-based violence in accessing the care they need, including reproductive health services… Together, we can create a future where gender-based violence is eradicated, and every individual has the right to live with dignity and respect,” Ngassam said.
This year’s 16 Days of Activism against GBV comes as the world prepares to commemorate thirty years of the Beijing Platform for Action, with its strong call for an end to violence against women and girls. The campaign is unfolding globally from November 25 to December 10, 2024 under the theme: “Towards Beijing+30 – Unite to end violence against women and girls”.
