From The Boston Globe · · 1m 10s
Cameroon protests over femicide rise
Cameroon women's killings surge, sparking protests for stronger laws.
In brief
Cameroon women's killings surge, sparking protests for stronger laws. Cameroon's femicide rate rose to 70 deaths in 2025, prompting protests and a new law to address gender-based violence. Originally reported by The Boston Globe.
Geraldine Achiah's death
Elementary school teacher Geraldine Achiah died two months into her marriage in September after alleged domestic violence.
Child's grief
Her 18-year-old son Courage Abombi recalls his mother's support for his engineering dreams and her unexpected death.
“My mom died an unexpected and painful death”
Rising femicide rate
Cameroon reported 70 women killed for gender-related reasons in 2025, up from 50 in 2023 and 67 in 2024.
Unsolved cases
Many femicide cases remain unsolved while others go unreported, sparking protests and demands for government action.
Husband's status
Manfred Amambua, Achiah's husband, denies killing his wife and is jailed awaiting trial for murder.
Root causes
Economic dependence, unequal property control, and weak laws drive femicide in Cameroon’s patriarchal society.
New law efforts
Cameroon plans a new law to treat femicide as a standalone crime while strengthening gender violence protections.
The essence
Cameroon's femicide rate rose to 70 deaths in 2025, prompting protests and a new law to address gender-based violence.
