Women In Social Protection : What Researchers Say, Propose For Possible Policy Amelioration

Gender inequality remains a major challenge in Central Africa. Often fostered by cultural stereotypes and structural inequalities. In Cameroon, despite the advances and involvement of donors for better leverage of gender, social and political bottlenecks continue to persist. 
It is for this reason that the international “Colloquium on Gender and Social Protection in Developing Countries: Stakes, Challenges and Opportunities,” was organised in the University of Yaounde II, Soa.  By the Gender Development Research Laboratory and various partners. 

Colloquium Objectives 
To raise awareness on existing structural inequalities in social protection contributions; promote empowerment of women through gender-sensitive social protection mechanisms; encourage daring social reforms that enhance female and multi-sector approaches; develop innovative solutions based on local and foreign experiences… Colloquium organisers therefore invited university researchers and lecturers who carried out studies on women in social protection. To present the results and recommendations.  

Gender-exclusive Policies, Programmes
Mrs. Kang Vivian Anang Iwi, a Gender and Development PhD student of the University of Buea carried out research on “Gender-responsive Social Protection Systems in Informal, Domestic and Rural Employment in Bamenda I, II and III Municipalities, in Mezam Division of North West Region.” The major findings show that programmes and policies in Bamenda municipalities are gender-exclusive; meaning they do not take into account the vulnerabilities of women – unpaid work, the domestic work they do…

Inconsiderate Waste Management 
Also, the waste management system in Bamenda municipality is not favourable for women. Given that women in Bayelle and Mulang have many household chores, yet, have to walk long distances to the nearest refuse dumps to empty their waste. “By covering these distances, they can face harassment on the way. Our suggestion to the authorities is for their programmes and policies to be gender-inclusive by taking into consideration women and waste disposal,” Mrs. Kang said.   

Informal Sector Women Left Out
"The other finding is that most women are involved in the informal sector – vending, hawking, and most of them have no social protection because they are not registered with the National Social Insurance Fund, CNPS. And therefore enjoy no pensions, family allowances and child support. We recommended that government carries out awareness amongst women with regards to the CNPS. Women are involved in “njangis” or “tontines,” if harmonized, could use the earnings to pay CNPS contributions,” Mrs. Kang proposed.

What Is Stealthing?
Dr Pauline Eunice Balogog, a member of the Gender and Development Research Laboratory, did research on “Stealthing, consent and institutional invisibility in Cameroon.” Stealthing refers to the withdrawal of the condom by the man during sexual relations without the consent of the female partner. The victim only discovers at the end of the sexual act that their consent was violated. 
“This is a form of sexual violence which is not visible in our society. The research showed that the practice exists, and proposed solutions in Cameroon’s social protection mechanism. The study was carried out in Douala and Yaounde, and showed that is a growing problem,” Dr Balogog explained. 

Three-fold Silence
The findings showed that there is three-fold silence – stealthing is not known and does not exist in our local languages; the non-existence of a particular law against the act; and the absence of a standard manner of managing the violence or listening to victims. “We proposed that the scope of sexual offences be enlarged to include stealthing; that health and judicial staff be trained on this new form of sexual violence,” Dr Pauline Balogog pointed out.

Weak Propensity To Protection 

Dr Liliane Odette Medjo Obia of the University of Yaounde II researched on “Challenges and reform prospects in social protection in a changing social protection landscape.” The findings show that women have weak propensity to be socially protected. Unlike menfolk, women are less likely to have work contracts, less chances of being registered with the National Social Insurance Fund, of having paid sick leave….

Cameroonian Model
“We suggested a rethink of Cameroon’s social protection system. The tendency is to see social protection only with Western lenses. This is contributory system to help in retirement or period of ill-health and unemployment. But Cameroon has its particular form of social protection. A trader who invests in real estate or some other sustainable income-generating activity is still better off in social protection, though without a formal employment and registration with CNPS.

In The Event Of…
“Social protection is preparing for the loss of income because of unemployment, sickness or retirement. Investing in the training of one’s children is another form of social protection. When the children grow up, they take care of their parents – unlike in the West where old people are taken to old people’s homes,” Dr Medjo clarified.

Awareness-raising 
"The social protection system in Cameroon needs to be reviewed to include investments for the future; and the sensitization of women in the informal sector that registration and payment of dues to CNPS is their right, not a favour by employers. Government and partners should encourage women to register with CNPS and make their personal contributions,” Dr Medjo suggested.

Women And University Healthcare 
On the other hand, Dr Dorothee Ndoumbe, a lecturer and researcher with the Advanced School of Mass Communication, ASMAC of the University of Yaounde II, and a member of Research Laboratory on Gender and Development, also did a study. Alongside Dr Marie Christelle Koa Otto. On “Access to healthcare in Cameroonian universities (University of Yaounde I, University of Yaounde II and the University of Ebolow...