WHAT A FRUSTRATION!
by yvette | September 26, 2011 at 9:41 AM
She was demoralized, despised and abandoned as a result; she lost confidence in herself, and lived for years without courage to delve into any venture. Her marriage to an ungrateful and violent man was the course of her frustration.
Early in life she did well to maintain the values of an honorable woman in good character and hard work. Becky my neighbor met a man along her path who sounded very interesting and loving. Carried away by the camouflage, she fell for him and they started up a family structure.
Before long his beast-like nature was uncovered as out of impatience he wouldn’t excuse her mistakes but violently pounce on her time without number, in beating and all manner of insults.
In one occasion, she was fired from her job side because of lateness. This happened because she had too much work at home; since her husband was of no domestic assistance.
Usually domestic violence is rampant in Cameroon. Husbands batter their wives especially when they are not income generators. According to a demographic and health survey conducted by the Cameroon's National Institute for Statistics in 2004, 39 percent, 14 percent and 28 percent of the surveyed women who were in a relationship or who had been in a relationship had respectively had experienced physical violence, at the hands of their partner. Cameroon does not have specific legislation by which domestic violence can be prosecuted; the criminal law is notoriously silent and victims are left to [rely] on the general law of assault. Thus, acts of domestic violence can be prosecuted using the Cameroon's penal code under the following articles:
• Article 275 which punishes murder
• Article 276 which punishes capital murder etc
Empowering ladies financially, is a necessity both for their up keep and for the stability of their homes. Even if a man understands, the financial over burden may push him out of himself.
In empowering ladies financially, an encounter with their perspective about marriage is a major obstacle. Some think that marriage is employment, their husband have to raise money, while all they do is sit at home and care for the children.
A change of mind is the most permanent form of revolution. Therefore, to help change the mentalities of these ladies to begin with, sensitization through radio programs is an important strategy.
Pulse wire is a great opportunities through which I can tell the stories of women like Becky and have assess to other stories to enable me develop a stronger passion to pursue my dream.
Secondly on pulse wire, others share their experiences exposing their challenges and how they overcame. The strategies which worked in other places could also work in my community and it will make the whole process easy. A saying goes thus” iron sharpens iron”. Pulse wire lets me meet other world changer who will challenge me to take greater steps in realizing my vision. Pulse wire is a provision for vision.
Comments
Realizing a vision
Dear Yvette,
Domestic violence is problem across the globe. Unfortunately, even in countries where laws are "on the books," it is not always easy to ensure they are being carried out. To compound the problems, women are often reluctant to report incidents of domestic violence. Empowering woman financially is always a good idea. You mention using radio ads to sensitize ladies to the idea of financial empowerment. Are such radio ads actually in existence in Cameroon or in the planning stage? Also, are any groups trying to work for legislation which would specifically make domestic violence a crime? I would love to know more. I agree that using Pulse Wire to share experiences and help them realize their vision.
Warm wishes,
rozjean
it is a HUGE frustration!
Hello Yvette,
Thank you so much for sharing all this information and experience!!
I studied in Cameroon during university, and have worked in domestic violence here in the States for many years. I admire your courage to be talking about these issues and raising the legal problems in Cameroon.
I would love to talk with you more about this sometime!
Unfortunately domestic violence is a worldwide problem, and I hope through world pulse we can find some ways to support each other and share new ideas!
Take care,
Hannah
Social networks to overcome challenges
Yvette:
Thanks for highlighting the problem of domestic violence in Cameroon...The way in which Women themselves are using to overcome all these difficulties is a major challenge... Pulse Wire is another exchange forum to increase awareness and to strengthening advocacy....Best
Aimable
AIMABLE TWAHIRWA