Gov't, United Nations commit to curb sexual exploitation, abuse.

This was during an audience granted the delegation recently in Yaounde.

The visit aimed at reinforcing collaboration between Cameroon and the UN in addressing the growing concerns of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, SEA, particularly in crisis-affected regions of the country. 

The minister used the meeting to share her ministry’s roadmap in assisting victims, mostly women and children and presented fieldwork reports on the listening centres and psychosocial support being provided to survivors.

She presented some of the alarming figures from the North West, South West, Far North, and East regions, where insecurity has exacerbated extreme poverty, leaving young girls vulnerable to sexual exploitation. 

“In these regions, conflict and poverty fuel a vicious cycle where girls are often lured or forced into exploitative situations,” she explained, noting her ministry’s community-based interventions and partnerships with local actors for victim care.

Another major point of discussion was the troubling record of nearly 70 cases of SEA perpetrated by UN peacekeepers, including Cameroonian personnel, in the Central African Republic, under the MINUSCA mission. 

The UN delegation sought to assess Cameroon’s current preventive efforts and explore stronger mechanisms for accountability.

In response, the member of government revealed that 160 Cameroonian defense forces personnel have already undergone specialised training in gender-based violence, GBV, prevention ahead of their deployment to CAR in September. This initiative, she said, is part of an ongoing collaboration between her ministry and the Ministry of Defence to ensure troops are educated on international standards for protecting civilians during missions.

Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Christian Saunders noted that SEA is a global problem rooted in systemic inequality. 

“Sexual violence exists in every society. The UN is a microcosm of that society, so we are not immune. The root causes could be lack of equality, economic dependence, and limited women in decision-making which must be tackled,” Saunders said.

He praised Cameroon’s proactive steps, particularly in training peacekeepers and supporting victims. 

“It was important for me to meet with the minister, because women’s empowerment is key to solving this issue,” Saunders noted, adding that both sides can learn from each other.  He stressed that despite the goodwill, more must be done to fund services for survivors.

Quizzed whether the UN would provide financial support, Saunders was candid: “The UN is not coming in with the money. Globally, funding is tight. Governments need to shift priorities and invest more in protecting women and addressing gender-based violence,” he stated.

The meeting concluded with the UN delegation handing over a documentation kit on combating SEA and reaffirming their commitment to support Cameroon’s preventive and protective strategies.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3505 of Wednesday July 16, 2025