Reporting on Cameroon's widowhood rites
TMP Africa contributor Yvonne Leina Chi has been getting some attention for her reporting on oppressive gender norms in her home country of Cameroon. Her latest short documentary revisits the problem of widowhood rituals, a topic she first reported on in 2010.
We asked her to tell us a bit more about her latest documentary and related future projects:
TMP: How did you become interested in the issue of widowhood rituals?
YVONNE: I got interested in this topic because despite intense campaigns done by NGOs and churches to stop these inhuman practices against widows, very minimal changes have been recorded. Widows of all ages continue to to undergo immense torture in the name of culture.
I decided to use Bea's story, though it might not be very detailed, because she is young and presents a video account of the story I did on widowhood in August 2010.
TMP: How common is widowhood in Cameroon? And do the rituals you describe occur only in rural Cameroon, or are they also found in urban areas?
YVONNE: With an increase in the number of young people dying due to HIV (not the case with the young lady in this story), there is a corresponding increase in the number of young women who are made to undergo widowhood rituals.
I can say the practice is more frequent in rural areas, but usually touches people who dwell in both rural and urban areas because, when a man dies, the tendency is usually to convey the body to his village of origin for burial.
TMP: Why do you think this tradition remains so strong? Is the government, or anyone else, working toward a change?
YVONNE: I do not know of any stringent government action that has been taken to halt this practice, but churches and NGOs have carried out a series of sensitization campaigns to this effect. In my opinion, churches have been more successful because Christian women's groups stand by the widows throughout the funeral to ensure they are not forced to go through this form of torture.
Only minute changes have been registered thanks to this. Not all churches are involved in this campaign, and the churches who are involved only protect women who belong to their women's fellowship groups.
Comments
Add a Comment
Wonderful page may make endless growth, with thanks present, all the build up about skills can be to keep on in receipt of knowing, and curiosity is in general the start of immense success. Just the once again I would like to say keep it up to blog owner!!! i enjoyed to read this post.
I admire what you have done here. I like the part where you say you are doing this to give back but I would assume by all the comments that this is working for you as well.
hat is very good comment you shared.Thank you so much that for you shared those things with us.Im wishing you to carry on with ur achievements.All the best http://www.digitalcamerasegment.com
I am very much impressed from your post.It has amazing information.I learned lot of new things which explores my knowledge in various developments.So i must appreciate your efforts on posting these information.
Excellent post and people around the world will certainly get much through reading it. I'll come back again and again to read such articles. Thanks
I truly appreciate this blog post.Really looking forward to read more. Great.
I really appreciate for your brilliant Efforts on spending time to post this information in a simple and systematic manner, so That visitors and readers can easily Understand the concept.I Efforts must appreciate you posting these on information.
This is a great post ! it was very informative. I look forward in reading more of your work. Also, I made sure to bookmark your website so I can come back later. I enjoyed every moment of reading it.
Really it is nice post, The post is clearly highlighting the values of law. It is now being necessary for all of us to understand law and its values.
I am glad after reading that post. I was searching that topic from few days its increase my knowledge.
I have been in look for of some information about it almost three time. You served me a lot indeed and analyzing this your publish I have found many new and useful information about this topic.
Great To Read. Good Job, Keep Posting.
I wanted to say that it's nice to know that someone else also mentioned this as I had trouble finding the same info elsewhere. This was the first place that told me the answer.
I have been in look for of some information about it almost three time. You served me a lot indeed and analyzing this your publish I have found many new and useful information about this topic.
Great job for publishing such a beneficial web site. Your web log isn’t only useful but it is additionally really creative too. There tend to be not many people who can certainly write not so simple posts that artistically. Continue the nice writing..
Great post. If they are familiar with each other, it should make for an interesting game.
joy to read, I came across this site ages ago but I’ve only just decided to stop back and have a read of your articles.
certified raspberry ketone reviews | raspberry ketone supplement reviews | benefit of raspberry ketone
i have read the article and i just get vthaty but she hass done to become famouse ya she faced the challendes but something went wrong which is not good but at last its ok.
Locksmith Marlborough
The new iPad comes in 16 GB w/ a bigger screen then the nexus 7... It has the more mindshare out of any AM974 tablet and has already apple apps for it. And people are already losing their minds.
Great site. I add this Post to my bookmarks.
Nice reporting!!!
Galochinhas
Great to be able to opportunity on your web page once again, how you can many weeks regarding anyone. i'd personally really like this kind of document to accomplish our project inside of university or college. Many thanks lots.
Useful information.. now i'm really very happy to browse this kind of terminology and wording.. thanks a lot with regard to offering persons this kind of useful information. Great walk-through. I like this kind of distribute.
I needed already been really pleased to locate this kind of internet site. When i needed to thanks a lot due to this wonderful study! my partner and i really savored every single little this understanding that i've truly received bookmarked to discover with regard to product spanking brand new product persons distribute.
I recently discovered your article as well as browse paired. I have to certain our love on your producing know-how as well as know-how to be able to browseers read through having because of consume. i'd personally really like that you examine latest announcements as well as discuss our landscapes for you
I'm producing a write-up just for this theme and then the information persons provide just for this matter is useful as well as latest.
Very good article! This is a highly beneficial blogging site which you have. Residential projects in dharuhera | Commercial property in gurgaon