Presidential

Gender Equality: Recording Significant Progress

Par Eulalia AMABO
13 sept. 2018 13:04
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An increase in the number of women in elective and appointed positions in the country as well as certain regulations put in place are factors geared at promoting gender equality.

Eliminating gender disparity in decision-making process in Cameroon is steadily evolving. In Cameroon, there is the National Gender Policy which has the objective of contributing to the encouraging representation of women in political positions. Over the years, the number of women in appointed and elected positions has recorded significant progress, though women continue to clamour for more positions. T

here is equally the Electoral Code which highlight the consideration of gender aspects in the political life of the country. In its Section 150(3) on provisions relating to the election of Member of Parliament, it states “each list shall take into consideration the various sociological components of the constituency concerned. It shall also take into consideration gender aspects.” As a result, women are subsequently being represented in several political spheres such as diplomacy, territorial administration, defence and security, amongst others.

The Presidential decree of February 7, 2018 creating and appointing members of the Constitutional Council featured a female, Justice Arrey Florence Rita. In Diplomacy, women are equally considered with Odette Melono being Cameroon’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands. At the international scene, women are representing Cameroon is top ranking positions with Hon. Emilia Mojowa Lifaka elected on November 7, 2017 as Chairperson of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and Prof Agbor Sarah Mbi Enow Anyang elected in July same year as Commissioner for Human Resources, Science and Technology at the African Union Commission.

Presently, there are 11 female Ministers in government appointed by President Paul Biya. Of course, women are present in Ministries as Secretaries of State, Secretary Generals, Directors and other managerial positions. The presence of women in Cameroon’s Parliament has considerably improved. At the Senate, there are 26 female Senators in the current legislature, up from 21 in the last legislative period. The present legislature at the...