2018

A study on the social norms underlying harmful socio-cultural/traditional practices towards girls in Cameroon, commissioned by the Ministry for the Promotion of Women and the Family, was conducted in 2018 by a team of consultants from the University of San Diego and Yaoundé 1, with the issue of child marriage as a priority focus. The results of this study, conducted mainly in the East and Far North regions, showed that there are marked variations in child marriage prevalence rates across regions, as well as marked variations in the association with socio-cultural/economic determinants. Regional, ethnic and religious variations suggest the existence of cultural and social normative factors (socio-cultural norms, low level of education) particularly in the Far North and Adamaoua. While in most regions of Cameroon, the number of child marriages has decreased, the study shows an increase in the Eastern region, hence the need to put in place innovative intervention strategies. The evidence generated by this study provides information that can be used to develop a communication strategy aimed at specific targets, to contribute to the desired changes in the abandonment of child marriage and other harmful cultural practices such as female genital mutilation.