Cameroon: Protecting children from sexual violence, exploitation, trafficking and sexist discrimination

Context

Women and children in Cameroon experience sexist discrimination and sexual violence on a daily basis. In a first phase of the project, an awareness therefor was raised within the population, among authorities and other decision-makers. However, these phenomena are still favored by several factors on the legal and socio-cultural level:

• Unsuitable and inadequate laws against child abuse, and those existing are not applied
• Prejudices and social taboos to talk about these issues
• Harmful cultural practices such as early and forced marriages
• organized crime, such as child trafficking and forced prostitution
• Informal, extra-judicial settlements with sex offenders violating the rights of the affected children
• a lack of adequate and coordinated support programs for children affected by sexual abuse and exploitation

Project Objectives:

Children, who are at risk of becoming or who have become victims of sexist discrimination and sexual violence gain access to their fundamental rights and are supported in their rehabilitation by their social communities. They are also protected by an adequate legal and institutional framework.

• The protection of children has improved sustainably. Harmful cultural practices and sexual violence are no longer taboo subjects in society, but denounced and prosecuted.
• Children are protected by a code of conduct in schools, institutions and in public services.
• Children are protected by law, which is consistent with the international norms ratified by Cameroon.
• The access to legal authorities and the possibilities for making a complaint have improved.
• Children are supported by local authorities and the civil community to access their rights.
• Affected children have access to information as well as to psychosocial and medical care in their communities.

Involved Groups

• About 2,000 children who have experienced sexist discrimination or sexual violence
• 1,750 youth leaders
• 25,000 other children and adolescents at risk
• 10,000 parents and families of affected children
• 1,251 members of local committees for child protection
• 750 religious and traditional authorities
• 50 owners of hotels and restaurants
• 30 civil society organizations
• 10 youth drawing clubs
• 60 state institutions, facilities and departments
• 60 representatives of the media
• 10 local radio stations
• 62 responsibles for primary and secondary education, police and legal authorities
• 1,400 principals and teachers
• 417 town and municipal district managers
• 10 ombudspersons
• 80 members of parliament
• 3,000 administrative officers

Project Activities

• Training of youth and adult leaders
• Promoting responsible parenthood
• Professional accompaniment of local prevention networks
• Producing information material for preventive work
• Promoting safe schools which are violent-free
• Introducing and implementing a behavioral codex in public facilities
• Advocacy work with law enforcement authorities for the adoption of the proposed legislative reform
• Capacity training for law enforcement authorities
• Legal advice and representation of prosecution services
• Strengthening local mechanisms for the protection of children
• Involving local administrative authorities in child protection
• Medical and psychological support for affected children
• Supporting children for their successful social reintegration
• Arranging meetings between affected children for mutual exchange and support
• Building and strengthening local, national and regional cooperations
• Promoting regular participation in regional and national meetings and events of different networks involved with children’s rights, child trafficking, exploitation and discrimination
• Participating in an international south-south exchange on the topic

Funding

Project costs: about 540,800 €

Financial Partners:

• German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
• Stiftung für Entwicklungszusammenarbeit Baden-Württemberg (SEZ)
• CIPCRE-Cameroon
• Kinderrechte Afrika e.V. (donations)

Cover photo: Poster to sensitize to stand together to combat sexual violence.

© CIPCRE Cameroon