The Need for Gender Studies at All Levels of Education in Cameroon

Authors

  • Lukong Mathilda Yenla ep Ngoula

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.58425/ajgds.v3i1.248

Abstract

Aim: The need for gender studies and practice in Cameroon cannot be over emphasized or remain only on papers and commemorations such as the celebration of the International Day of the Woman and conventions ratified. This paper aims at elucidating how the top-down educational policy of the government where gender studies are introduced later on under Citizenship Education has failed to inculcate desired values in society.

Methods: Data was garnered empirically through observations, through study of conjugal conflict files at the Regional Delegations of the Ministry of Women Empowerment and the Family, and through related scholarly articles, books and online sources.

Results: The study found that even with imposed quarters from the UN that have been inculcated in the country’s constitution, and the efforts made so far by government, there’s no parity from the executive right down to legislative, not to go down to communal and family levels in Cameroon. Findings equally show that, many women still ignorantly believe especially in rural areas, that politics is meant only for their male counterparts who are presumably heads of the families. At the level of Higher Education, some male scholars in state universities continue to falsely believe and question the competence of female colleagues. Some cultures still made parents to believe that higher education or schooling in general should be a male domain, thereby retarding the education of the girl child who is lagging behind under the bondage of culture. This is the typical case with the Hausa and Fulani residing in Cameroon and some ethnic groups caught up in discriminatory cultures all over the country.

Conclusion: Gender studies should be imposed at all levels of education in Cameroon and African countries to foster gender equality.

Recommendations: Government should separate gender studies from citizenship and make it a stand-alone subject known as Gender and Ethnic studies. Parents should undergo gender training courses be it in adult literacy program, and/or future parents are to gain this knowledge in schools before becoming parents to avoid being discriminative. If the gender studies are incorporated in current syllabus, Cameroonians would have no problems with notions like gender equality, equity, mainstreaming.

Author Biography

Lukong Mathilda Yenla ep Ngoula

Department of History, Higher Teacher Training College (HTTC) Bambili, University of Bamenda, (UBa) Cameroon.

References

Books

Bame, A. Nsamenang, “Towards a Philosophy for Africa’s Education” in A. Bame Nsamenang and Tschombe M. S. Therese’s: A Hand Book for African Educational Theories and Practices, A Generative Teacher Education Curriculum, Human Development Resource Centre (HDRC) 2011, Presses uviversitaires d’ Afrique

E. N., Angwafor, Family Law in Anglophone Cameroon, University of Regina Press, 1993.

Hafkin, J., and Jand, H. Bay, (eds), Women in Africa: Studies is Social and Economic Change, Stanford: Heinemann. 1976, pp. 59-60.

Lang. M. Kpughe, Lang, Empowered without Power: Women and Leadership in the Basel Mission and Presbyterian Church in Cameroon, Langa Resaerch & Publishing Common Initiative Group. 2020.

Leith, R., African Woman, New York: Macmillan Publishers Ltd. 1967.

Olufemi, S. and Ver C. Eecke, Mobilizing Women for Rural Development: Some Principles for Success, London: Cambridge University Press. 1992, p. 226.

St. Clair, W, Imperialism and Traditional African Culture, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 1994.

Troller, R., Sex and Gender: The Development of Masculinity and Feminity, Routledge, 1994.

Articles in Books and Journals

B. Dobson, “Polygamy and Women’s Place in Africa” in Corona: Journal of African Cultural Studies, Vol. 1 No 12, 1954, pp 454-57.

Fon. H., “Formalities, Content and Form of a Marriage Contract” in A Simple Guide to the Civil Status Registration, FIDA Publication, Tencam Press Ltd, Douala, nd, pp.24-27.

Mathew B. Gwanfogbe, “Africa’ Triple Education Heritage: a Historical Comparison” in A. Bame N. and Therese M.S. tschombe’ Hand book of African Theories and Practices. Pp.39-54.

Ngassa, V., “Factors that Prevent Women from attaining her Civil Right” in “Women, Children and the Law” FIDA Cameroon’s Publication (nd) pp.2-5.

W. F. Yuven, and Bame A. Nsamenang, “Place of Agriculture in Africa’s Educational Development” in. A. Bame Nsamenang and ThereseM. S. Tchombe’s Handbook of African Educational Theories and Practices: pp.495-515.

Electronic Sources

“Age of Enlightenment” Microsoft (R) Student {DVD}. Redmond, WA: Microsoft Corporation, 2008, retrieved on 16th April 2021.

Hammer & Good (2010). Positive Psychology: “An Empirical Examination of Beneficial Aspects of Endorsement of Masculine Norms”. “Psychology of Men & Masculinity”, 2010, pp.303–318., www.wiki padia en, Retrived on the 12/o6/ 2021

See https:/www.jstor, org/staple/2230225, Judith Butler, Sex and Gender in Simone de Beauvoir’ second sex. Assessed 10/10/2021

See citizenship syllabuses for primary and secondary education online for Cameroon schools.

See the 1998 educational law in Cameroon.

https://itpd,ncert,gov.in/plug, assessed on 16th April 2021, 9pm.

Extracted from a document of the Central Bureau for the Census and Population Studies. P. O. Box 12932 Yaoundé Cameroon by tekejt2002@justice, com. Assessed on 10-07-2021.

World Health Organisation, overview, assessed on 20th 06,21.

Thesis

Lukong Mathilda Yenla, “Evolution and Impact of Traditions and Customs of Marriage in the Bamenda Grasslands ca.1800-2010” A Ph.D. Thesis in History, University of Yaoundé I. Cameroon, 2017.

Tita, C. B., ―An Evaluation of Polygamy in Bali Nyonga‖ A Dissertation for a Diploma in

Philosophy. (Unpub. Work) STAMS Bambui, Cameroon, 1980.

Yenge, M. N., ―The Issue of Polygamous Fonship in Oku Vis-à-vis the Rights of Women‖ A Dissertation for a Degree in Philosophy, STAMS Bambui, Cameroon, 1997,

Laws

See Law no: 68/LF/2 of June 11th 1968.

See (Chapter 115-Volume 15: Revised Laws of the Federation of Nigeria bearing the Marriage Ordinance.

See Cameroon Civil Status Registration. of 1981.

See Southern Cameroons High Court/ S. C. No. 7 of 1955 Law, 1955, Southern Cameroons High Court Law, 1955.

Primary Sources.

Complains from Regional and Divisional Delegation of Social Welfare on Paternity of children of a divorcee.

Complains from Regional and Divisional Delegation of women empowerment and the family ministry.

Downloads

Published

2024-04-12

How to Cite

Lukong , M. Y. ep N. (2024). The Need for Gender Studies at All Levels of Education in Cameroon . American Journal of Gender and Development Studies, 3(1), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.58425/ajgds.v3i1.248