Citation

Cheka C. Reprod. Health Matters 1996; 4(8): 41-46.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1996, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/S0968-8080(96)90300-6

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This paper reviews the socio-cultural values, customary legal precepts and written laws in Cameroon on ownership of land and property rights, marriage (both monogamous and polygamous) and adultery, which serve to restrict women's access to education and resources, limit their rights and control their sexuality. The combined legal and social legitimation of men's authority over women and the extent of women's disempowerment are such that women seem to be unwilling to use even those legal provisos which could help them to challenge and seek redress for violent or oppressive behaviour on the part of their husbands.