full version - World Organisation Against Torture

Violence against Women in CameroonA Report to the Committee against TortureContents1. Preliminary Observations .............................................................................................................................. 1191.1 Cameroon’s International Legal Obligations .................................................. 1191.2 General Observations on the Human RightsSituation on Cameroon........................................................................................................................ 1222. Status of Women ........................................................................................................................................................ 1233. Violence against Women Perpetrated by the State .................................................. 1283.1 Legal Safeguards to Prevent Torture........................................................................... 1283.2 De Facto Situation ................................................................................................................................... 1293.3 Torture and Ill-treatment of Women ......................................................................... 1303.4 Threats against Women Human Rights Defenders .................................... 1314. Violence against Women in the Family ...................................................................................... 1324-1 Woman Battering ....................................................................................................................................... 1324.2 Marital Rape ..................................................................................................................................................... 1334.3 Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) .................................................................................. 1335. Violence Against Women in the Community ...................................................................... 1355-1 Rape ................................................................................................................................................................................ 1355.2 Trafficking and Exploitation of Prostitution of Women ................ 1355.2.1 Cameroonian and International Laws Dealingwith Trafficking ............................................................................................................................ 1365.2.2 Trafficking for labour and sexual exploitation ............................. 1376. Sexual and Reproductive Rights: Abortion Policy ..................................................... 1387. Conclusions and Recommendations ............................................................................................... 139Concluding observations of the Committee against Torture:CameroonThirty-first session – 10-21 November 2003Consideration of Reports Submitted by States PartiesUnder Article 19 of the Convention ....................................................................................................... 146A. Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................... 146B. Positive aspects .............................................................................................................................................. 146C. Subjects of concern ............................................................................................................................... 146D. Recommendations ...................................................................................................................................... 150117