A qualitative study of men's and women's opinions on authors, causes, consequences, justifications and solutions to domestic violence in Cameroon

Teke Johnson Takwa, Institut de Formation et de Recherche Démographiques (IFORD)

Information on domestic violence against women in Cameroon which comes essentially from DHSs is essentially quantitative and incomplete for the proper understanding of this social ill. This data reveals that the frequency of this violence in Cameroon is higher than for many other sub-Saharan countries. In order to better grasp how the key perpetrators of gender-based domestic violence (men) and the victims-women perceive the ill, a qualitative study involving focus group discussions of men and women were organized separately in Cameroon’s ten regional capitals. This study found out that despite some divergence, both men and women labeled it bad and good for elimination. Some men feel that it can be good if it is mild and aimed at correction. Both agree that dialogue, proper counseling, adherence to religious principles, prevention of negative external influences especially from mother-in-laws, advancement of the status of the women, etc are necessary to fight the ill.