Over 60 percent of teenagers in CMR suffer sexual violence

These has been an alarming revelation in some data published by UNICEF during a briefing of journalists in the run-up towards the celebration of the day of the girl on 11th October.

For this 3rd edition of the international day of the girl, the "Key Message" focused on the alarming figures.

Indeed in Cameroon, 22% of girls aged between 15-19 years were forced to sexual intercourse (rape); Almost 60 percent of girls 15-19 years have lived experiences of sexual and/or physical violence perpetrated by their man or husband.

Forced and early marriages are also part of the multiple forms of violence against women, discrimination against girls and child abuse. And in this regard, at Kousseri in the region of the far North, 37% of girls are married off before the age of 18.

The latest EDS/MICS of topical survey showed that: 17% of women 25-49 years were in the union before the age of 15 years and more than 45% were already in the union before 18.

In the 45-49 age band, this rate is 51% of women. The situation is more deplorable in rural areas, where 57% of women 20 to 24 years reported to be married before the age of 18 years. Generally, the celebration of IWD allows the recalling of the situation of the Cameroon child still victim of violence in communities, school, and family.

For example, the prenatal period at birth, violence (physical, sexual, phycological) can have an impact on the fetus. While in small children and childhood, where children are most at risk, the experiences of violence disrupt their agility.

Moreover, as implications of sexual violence, psychical and psychological health of reproduction, it deplores increasing the risk of maternal mortality and childbirth complications.

At this level the phenomenon is least documented with some denials, the reason why child abuse has doubled in occurrence. For example, the fact that certain forms of violence against children are accepted by the company, and not perceived as abusive.

The phenomenon is, however, preventable and calls for a commitment of all. Notably through the implementation of appropriate strategies such as: supporting policies and programs to support parents and families – parental education programs will encourage positive discipline and reduce the risk of domestic violence; change the attitudes and social norms that legitimize violence and discrimination; put at the disposal of the services to support the surviving children of violence - measures to encourage children to seek the appropriate services and see the incidents of violence; enforce laws and policies that protect children.