It is a sunny afternoon in March, downtown Yaounde, following a heavy downpour yet the proverb which says « after the rain comes sunshine » seems to be surreal as hearts are broken, tears rolling down cheeks, and many cry out, « Not again! ».
Yes, not again to another tale of rape and killing of a little girl; not again to another woman murdered by her partner; not again to the bodies of girls found lifeless on the street; not again to another pupil or student missing, and missing notices of these people all over social media.
The situation is alarming to Cameroonians, especially residents of major cities where the population wakes up to such heartbreaking stories almost daily.
The questions on many minds are what is going on…what went wrong?
Understanding the Triggers of Such Violence
With the recurrent headlines of femicide, rape, infanticide, and missing children, a Psychologist, Vivian Meme, indicates that these are not just isolated incidents. In her opinion, « They are symptoms of deep-seated social fractures ».
To seek solutions to this problem, the experts says one must first confront the uncomfortable truth of why this continues to happen…What is the core problem?
Vivian Meme adds that the problem is not just a single cause but an intersection of several factors.
The psychologist explains that dysfunctional or fractured homes constitute some of the reasons why all these prevail.
« When the home which should be a sanctuary becomes a place of chronic conflict or neglect, it creates a fracture, » she says.
Another reason that accounts for this violence is the normalization of violence.
« Children in some environments are raised to believe that violence against girls or others is a « normal » part of life. When they witness abuse without consequence, they learn to view aggression as a legitimate way to resolve conflict or assert dominance, effectively training the next generation of perpetrators, » the Psychologist states.
Then comes the issue of what she calls intergenerational trauma.
« Violence is often a cycle. Without intervention, those who witness or experience abuse as children in fractured homes are at a higher risk of perpetuating it or becoming victims again as adults, » Vivian Meme remarks.
« In addition to all these, deep-rooted gender biases and entitlement mindsets often lead to femicide, where women are targeted because of their gender or as a means of control, » she continues.
Impunity and silence at the end of the day, also play a role in the upsurge of such heinous acts. « When crimes go unpunished or are treated as « private family matters, » perpetrators are emboldened, » Vivian Meme warns .
A Future Beyond Violence
Amid the tears of the affected, sympathisers and the community at large, the only question with a clear answer is « What is the way forward? »
« For the families of victims, I will advise that they seek healing and justice. Firstly, they need trauma care. The grief following such acts is complex and heavy. Professional counseling and support groups are not a luxury; they are essential for survival, » The Psychologist advises.
She also points to the need to demand accountability. « Engage with legal advocates and victim support organizations to ensure the case remains active. You do not have to carry the burden of the search for justice alone, » she insists.
« Futhermore, break the stigma. There is no shame in being a victim or the family member of one. Speaking out helps dismantle the culture of silence that protects criminals, » encourages the Psychologist.
To society, her advice is « Stay alert and be watchful! »
« The bystander should move from being a passive observer to an active guardian. If you see signs of abuse, neglect or domestic tension, do not keep quiet; do something; blow an alarm; report it! » She adds.
Education as a defence is also a key security measure.
« Teach children about « body autonomy » and safe versus unsafe secrets. Knowledge is a child’s first line of defence against predators, » she advises.
« Futhermore, as individuals, we should advocate for and support laws that prioritize child protection and harder penalties for gender-based violence. A society is only as safe as its most vulnerable member is. »
Some Perpetrators of Violence Need Help
These recommendations also concern the perpetrators of these crimes. Some of them do need help too, to break away from their practices.
« Seek immediate intervention if you feel an impulse toward violence or abuse. Seek psychiatric help immediately before a life is lost, » Vivian emphasises.
She also calls on perpetrators to understand the weight of their crimes. « A single act of violence destroys multiple lives: the victim’s, that of their families, and ultimately, yours, » she warns.
The Psychologist who is also a Child Protection Expert adds that change begins when people refuse to look away. « By naming these acts for what they are (crimes against humanity), we begin the work of building a world where every girl and child can grow up in peace. »
Social Media Ablaze with Need for Severe Sanctions
Social media platforms like Facebook, X and WhatsApp are highly opinionated with many pointing towards severe sanctions on perpetrators of violence on women and children.
While some Cameroonians have used social media to call on the law to handle the issues at hand, others clamour for « jungle justice ».
In the meantime, some are precise about the kind of punishment needed…the death sentence…or castration followed by imprisonment.
While competent authorities look into the cases already identified, Cameroonians hope justice will prevail and women and children will again have reason to smile and feel at ease in society.
Eleanor Ayuketah Ngochi
