Violence against women: Women’s empowerment minister, French Ambassador discuss combating ill.

This was the focus of the audience Minister Marie Therese Abena Ondoa granted the French diplomat. Both officials used the audience to share views of the rising phenomenon and actions to prevent or address violence. 

The officials also discussed the importance of sharing experiences and best practices in addressing violence against women and promoting gender equality as well as the promotion of women’s economic empowerment.

Minister Abena Ondoa used the audience to outline programmes carried out to raise awareness on women’s rights, prevent violations and provide support to victims of violence. 

She also drew attention to the proposed specific law on Gender-Based Violence, GBV, which is currently under study. 

Taking the floor, Ambassador Riquier underlined the importance of coming together to fight violence on women. He said the issue at hand cuts across several areas, including access to healthcare, justice and police services for victims, as well as changing social attitudes and mentalities that perpetuate violence.

“…I found out that we have, and basically it is not a surprise, a broad agreement of views between Cameroon and France, on the necessity to take into account, to treat this subject, to fight against violence, and obviously to work for equality between women and men…,” the diplomat said.

He further stressed on the importance of integrating gender equality into development cooperation programmes between the two countries. 

“We obviously make the same observation back home in France and I have discovered that we can have interesting and important exchanges of experience, both to promote equality and make it effective, and then to fight against the scourge of violence which can go as far as femicide,” he added.

According to him, agreements and investments supported by France, particularly through the French Development Agency, AFD, should take into consideration gender equality and women’s employability in order to create better economic opportunities.

Cameroon and France, the ambassador said shares broad agreement on the need to fight violence against women and promote equality between women and men, noting that the scourge can have devastating consequences, including femicide. 

He also presented some of France’s programmes supporting gender equality and expressed interest in strengthening synergies with the ministry. 

“I find it interesting to strengthen our synergies with the ministry for the promotion of women’s empowerment and the family,” the diplomat said.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3911 of Wednesday September 16, 2026