This is a message every man must read. If you have seen, or heard about the gruesome murder and violation of the corpse of penitentiary officer Ayafor Florence, in Pinyin, northwest region, you will spread the word after reading this call to conscience, from the Cameroon Women’s Peace Movement (CCAWOPEM).
The women’s rights organisation “condemns and abhors the atrocious acts of violence perpetrated against women in the NW and SW Regions of Cameron and most especially the most recent dastardly and gruesome murder and violation of the corpse of Ayafor Florence in the NW Region by persons to be identified.”
In the October 3 communique, CAWOPOM notes with consternation the alarming rate at which women are increasing becoming a target in the ongoing conflict.
CAWOPEM is bewildered at the act of desecration of her corpse and states that nothing in the world can justify the gruesome killing of a woman talk less of the wicked manner in which her corps was abused.
“CAWOPEM further states that barbaric acts can never be justified under human rights law.
The use of violence against women is criminal, it is a violation of their human rights and violating her corps is a gross violation of her right to be treated with dignity and therefore, does not deserve to be spared any searing words of condemnation;
“Finally, CAWOPEM urges and calls on the warring parties to exercise a lot of restraint and to respect the human rights of women in particular and Cameroonians in general.
And we pray for the repose of the souls of all who have lost their lives during this conflict raging the NW and SW Regions and pray for a return to peace.”
Meanwhile, in a separate comment a women’s rights campaigner, Kumichi described how Ayafor Florence was killed:
“Simply caught, beaten, humiliated, her dignity destroyed, slaughtered, mutilated and forced out of this life for no reason by people who could be her sons, brothers or friends!” She laments further, “why should a lady die in the hands of men for a crime she did not commit?
Should women suffer this kind of humiliation? Where is the dignity of humanity? What has happened to morals? How can blood keep flowing recklessly like this?”
Now that you have read this piece, look up more facts about women’s protection in the following documents:
1. The Cameroon Constitution and Article 45 of same;
2. The African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights in Africa,
3. The Protocol to the African Charter on Women’s Rights, and
4. UN Resolution 1325 and its provisions on the protection of women during armed conflicts CAWOPEM (Cameroon Women’s Peace Movement)