´WCIC working for a world without violence:

Violence is a problem all over the world. It destroys our families our kids and in the end the entire society. Violence is a symbol of superiority and power – a long history of men ruling the world and the women. But it cannot continue, we as women will not allow it to continue!

In WCIC we counsel oppressed and violated women; women that have had enough and are trying to find a way out of it. They tell us stories that we thought didn’t exist; stories about captivity, unborn children dying in need of hospitalization, psychological terrorism, cruel family in-laws and most of all husbands abandoning every responsibility.

In a country like Cameroon women are often dependent on their husband. Maybe the woman can’t work because she doesn’t have an education or she only earns a low salary on selling stuff on the street. These circumstances urge for economic violence; the man guards the money and won’t let his wife have any. Maybe he even takes the money that she earns and spends it on himself. This leaves a lot of conflicts, and in the end it leaves a lot of women without any means to provide for themselves and their children.

Besides economic violence women suffer from physical, psychological, material and sexual violence. We have more than once experienced that a woman has been thrown out of her matrimonial house with all her belongings lying in the street for everyone to see. Even her underwear spread around the grounds. We don’t know why these incidents occur, but it is an obvious proof of men treating women as objects. As something they can use when they feel like it and throw away afterwards. Maybe the woman didn’t fulfil her duties in the kitchen or in the bed and for that she shall suffer!!

If the woman is legally married she can take the man to trial and have a judge to solve the disputes if she can afford it. A lawyer is very expensive in Cameroon compared to a normal salary and every complaint cost money. Taking the case to trial cost a lot of money. Even if you get a lawyer you can’t be sure there will be a just decision; if your opponent is rich enough he can bribe the judge. These are issues undermining the public security, law and order.

WCIC tries to ameliorate these circumstances by offering free legal aid. We counsel the women and sometimes take the case to court. Unfortunately we don’t have much money and it’s only the poorest women, who are entitled to our direct help. But we do work for a better legislation on government level improving every woman’s rights and legal status. We hope that our work will help us all creating a better world without violence and with equal rights and opportunities for everyone.