On Friday, July 10, the heart of Cameroon’s capital beat to the rhythm of a marching band announcing an unprecedented march: more than a hundred people gathered in the Odza neighbourhood to launch a national campaign against violence against women.
Under multicoloured flags, women and girls marched, carrying bouquets called "peace flowers," a symbol of hope and resilience. The procession, organised by local associations, turned the streets into a moving gallery of emotion, each step echoing a call for justice.
Among the participants were parliamentarians, representatives from municipal and university administrations, as well as local officials. This diversity reflects a growing awareness among the various actors of Cameroonian society of a scourge that touches all social layers.
The "peace flowers" held by the demonstrators are not mere decorations; they embody a collective will to end a spiral of violence that, according to gathered testimonies, persists in many communities. Each delicate yet determined bouquet symbolizes the fragility of victims and the strength of the movement supporting them.
"On a trip somewhere, we hear that there has been, if not a case of violence, at least a case of beating… When will it stop? This march is to say stop, once and for all. The State must strike hard," said Yvette Mbezoa Medjongo, municipal councilor, underscoring the urgency of a vigorous government response.
The mobilisation comes amid a backdrop of increasing reports of domestic and public violence, often without victims receiving justice. Today’s gathering shows civil society will no longer remain silent and that pressure on institutions must translate into concrete measures: stronger legal protection, specialised shelters and ongoing awareness campaigns.
As the caravan dispersed through Yaoundé’s streets, the message was clear: the fight against violence toward women can no longer be relegated to the margins. Authorities are called to act swiftly, while citizens are urged to support local initiatives so that every woman can live without fear.
