CHAPTER ONE GENERAL INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

Gender equality signifies that men and women possess equal authority and equivalent chances to attain financial autonomy, access education, and foster personal growth. The struggle for equality and the safeguarding of women’s employment rights have been persistent issues. Women worldwide have consistently demanded that their rights be honored, both in society in general and at workplaces. The origins of this issue can be traced back to the 19th century, following the American Revolution (the American Civil War), which planted the seed of freedom in the minds of some women. Prior to this revolution, women’s roles were largely confined to domestic chores and child-rearing, while men held the positions of economic providers.

Following the revolution, Black women entered the workforce to secure steady income after emancipation. Subsequently, immigrant women joined the labor force, followed by middle-class white women who also sought financial independence. The employment landscape for women during this period revealed racial disparities within American society, as white women tended to secure better job opportunities compared to Black women. This inequality led to the emergence of labor unions that began admitting women as more of them entered the workforce. In the 1880s, the labor union known as “The Knights of Labor” championed equal pay for women’s work. Achieving equality was a formidable challenge for these women. They grappled with long working hours, inadequate pay, lower minimum wage rates compared to men, and the juggling act of balancing family life with work responsibilities. It was during this period that figures like Lucy Hale and Mother Jones emerged to inspire working women in their quest for equality.

The landscape began to shift during World War II in 1939, when a significant number of men were away at war, resulting in a surge of women entering the workforce. Some women even took on roles typically held by men. The government employed various propaganda and symbols, such as Rosie the Riveter, to encourage women’s participation in the workforce. At this time, women began to experience a sense of empowerment they had fought for. However, this newfound empowerment was short-lived, as the war concluded, and men returned. Many men were dissatisfied with women reclaiming their jobs. This period saw the rise of unions and nonprofit organizations advocating for women’s rights. While this progress was initially limited, women gradually became more comfortable reentering the workforce, and they began to secure previously male-dominated positions. The significant turning point occurred in the late 20th century when the Equal Pay Act was enacted, further opening doors for women in the workplace. The fight for gender equality continued to gain momentum in subsequent years, with growing support for women in the workforce up to the present day.

WOMEN IN THE WORKFORCE IN AFRICA: CAMEROON

In Africa, women encounter a persistent challenge of gender inequality. This issue can be traced back to pre-colonial African societies, where men dominated governance and decision-making. The advent of colonialism exacerbated this disparity, leading to the subjugation of women, who were often relegated to farming or household duties, while men enjoyed superior employment opportunities. The discrimination against women stirred discontent and ignited the advocacy efforts of African women and feminists.

Various gender equality organizations, such as the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and the United Nations (UN), were established to champion women’s rights in Africa. Cameroon, as a member of the UN, also grappled with gender discrimination and gender equality issues. The country’s unique legal landscape, influenced by both French and English legal systems, as well as customary law, presented a complex environment for addressing gender disparities. Customary law, based on the traditions of more than 200 ethnic groups in Cameroon, often upheld male dominance, which had far-reaching effects on society.

Efforts to rectify these issues have been undertaken, including the incorporation of provisions from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the African Charter of Human and Peoples Rights into the Cameroonian constitution. Article 65 of the constitution, combined with the preamble, underscores the nation’s commitment to protecting the rights of women, youth, the elderly, and the disabled. Furthermore, the constitution contains provisions aimed at promoting gender equality.

In Cameroon, women traditionally occupied domestic roles, with limited presence in the public sphere. In 2011, data indicated that 25% of households in Cameroon were headed by women. Early marriage was common, with approximately 50% of women marrying for the first time at the age of 17 or 18. Childbearing was seen as the primary role of women, contributing to the country’s high fertility rate. However, women constituted 52% of Cameroon’s population and actively engaged in efforts to combat poverty, making substantial contributions to societal development. Despite historical cultural and institutional subordination of women to men, the African Union’s (AU) framework on gender equality and women’s economic empowerment has gradually begun to reverse these trends. The legal and institutional framework provided by the AU has been instrumental in shifting the status of women in Cameroon towards greater equality.

• DEFINITION OF KEY TERMS

Gender. Gender refers to the socially constructed characteristics of men and women – such as norms, roles and relationships of and between groups of men and women. It varies from society to society and can be changed. While most people are born either male or female, they are taught appropriate norms and behaviours – including how they should interact with others of the same or opposite sex within household, communities and work places.[1]     

Women’s Rights. Women’s rights is defined as the freedoms, liberties and opportunities that women have, especially the opportunity to be treated equal to and given the same legal rights as men.[2]

 Human Rights. The freedoms, immunities, and benefits that, according, to modern values (esp. at an international level), all human beings should be able to claim as a matter of right in the society in which they live.  

Discrimination. Discrimination occurs when a difference in treatment relies directly and explicitly on distinctions based exclusively on sex and characteristics of men or of women, which cannot be justified objectively.[3]

 Indirect discrimination. occurs when a law, policy or programme does not appear to be discriminatory, but has a discriminatory effect when implemented. This can occur, for example, when women are disadvantaged compared to men with respect to the enjoyment of a particular opportunity or benefit due to pre-existing inequalities. … a gender-neutral law may leave the existing inequality in place, or exacerbate it.[4]