AN EXAMINATION OF WOMEN'S INVOLVEMENT IN LOCAL GOVERNANCE AND DECISION-MAKING PROCESSES IN CAMEROON

CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background of the Study Globally, the active involvement of all citizens—both men and women—in the administration of public affairs is a core principle of democratic governance (Uhunmwuangho, 2021). In support of this idea, the Inter-Parliamentary Union, in its Universal Declaration of Democracy, emphasized that “the realization of democracy requires a genuine partnership between men and women in managing public affairs, working in equality and complementarity while drawing mutual enrichment from their differences” (Inter-Parliamentary Union, 1999). While democratic governance thrives on citizen participation in elections and political processes, it equally relies on the legal equality of all individuals, regardless of gender. In recent years, the growing visibility of women’s issues and the resurgence of feminist movements have elevated public discourse and scholarly attention surrounding women’s political engagement. Although low female participation in politics is a global challenge (Olatunde, 2019), the significance of women’s contributions to democratic governance and human development remains undeniable. Women often play a central role in their communities—managing households, caregiving, and coordinating communal activities—which gives them a vested interest in access to basic services such as potable water, sanitation, waste management, energy, and healthcare. As Nkoyo (2022) asserts, the design and delivery of essential services directly affect women, making them well-suited to offer valuable insights, such as where to situate water sources or how to design user-friendly sanitation facilities. Women are frequently involved in the maintenance of community infrastructure, including cleaning water points, organizing repairs, and collecting maintenance fees (United Nations Centre for Human Settlements - UNCHS, 1999). Consequently, as Fayomi (2019) argues, sustainable peace, equality, and development cannot be achieved without the meaningful involvement of women in decision-making at all levels. Cameroon’s political environment remains deeply rooted in patriarchal traditions that marginalize women's voices and hinder their participation in political processes, especially at the local level. Cultural norms, traditional gender roles, socio-economic inequalities, and institutional barriers intersect to create formidable challenges for women entering the political sphere. Despite this, there have been noticeable shifts in women’s political engagement from independence to the present, alongside evolving barriers (Johnson, 2020). Across the globe, efforts to promote gender parity in politics have gained momentum in response to widespread underrepresentation of women. Fonjong (2020) notes that gender inequality undermines national cohesion and limits participation in development initiatives, manifesting in disparities in education, employment, and political representation. Although women constitute a significant portion of Cameroon’s population, as in many parts of the world, this demographic strength has not translated into proportional involvement in community development efforts (NGO Coalition Shadow Report, 2018). Kira (2018) observed that women often do not respond actively to government or organizational interventions aimed at fostering social, economic, or environmental improvements. While such programs frequently target vital sectors such as health, education, infrastructure, and governance, they have not always succeeded in eliciting widespread female participation. Despite growing support for gender equality, women's roles in politics, decision-making, and development initiatives remain limited, reflecting persistent structural and socio-cultural obstacles. 1.2 Statement of the Problem Women's participation in political and governance processes is a critical indicator of democratic inclusiveness and societal development. In Cameroon, as in many other countries, women have historically faced significant hurdles to participating in governance structures. As Abokede (2018) emphasizes, meaningful female representation in decision-making is essential to ensuring that women’s unique needs and interests are addressed. Women can play key roles in advocating for gender-sensitive governance that improves equitable access to local resources. Chrisman (2020) also highlights the importance of addressing gender disparities in development programs, especially in the area of sanitation. For example, providing gender-sensitive facilities in schools and promoting hygiene education can facilitate greater educational attainment among girls while improving public health outcomes. However, male-dominated political systems often fail to prioritize these issues. Existing research on women’s political participation in Cameroon underscores a complex set of barriers and enablers. Batliwala & Reddy (2020) argue that, despite comprising a large segment of the population, women remain underrepresented in decision-making forums and development programs. Asongwe (2023) attributes this to entrenched gender norms that confine women to domestic roles, limiting their public agency and leadership potential. Furthermore, Njoh & Awasom (2018) observed that inequality in education, healthcare access, and economic opportunities further marginalizes women, impeding their participation in development efforts. The dominance of men in local governance structures perpetuates patriarchal ideologies and prevents equitable distribution of development benefits. Although prior research has explored the socio-cultural and institutional dynamics shaping women’s political agency—such as the influence of legal frameworks, the role of political parties, and challenges within patriarchal systems—there remains a gap in understanding the specific barriers and facilitators of women’s participation in decision-making at the local level. Moreover, little is known about the strategies and experiences of women who have successfully navigated these male-dominated spaces. Since decisions made at the local level often have the most direct impact on citizens' daily lives, it is crucial to explore the nature and consequences of women’s involvement in such contexts. Therefore, this study aims to fill this gap by conducting a comprehensive analysis of the role of women’s political participation in local decision-making processes in Cameroon. 1.3Objectives of the Study The objective of this study is focused on Women's Involvement in Local Governance and Decision-Making Processes in Cameroon. Specifically, the study seeks to: 1.Examine the level women's political participation in local decision-making processes in Cameroon 2.Ascerain the roles do women play in grassroots politics and local decision-making processes in Cameroon 3.Investigate the challenges, experience and contribution of women in democratic process in Cameroon 1.4 Research Questions  1.What is the level women's political participation in local decision-making processes in Cameroon? 2.What are the roles do women play in grassroots politics and local decision-making processes in Cameroon? 3.What are the challenges, experience and contribution of women in democratic process in Cameroon? 1.5 Research Hypotheses Ho: There is no significant role women play in political and local decision-making processes in Cameroon.  Ha: There is a significant role women play in political and local decision-making processes in Cameroon. 1.6 Significance of the Study Marginalization of women in local governance is nothing but an elongation of male dominance in virtually all political affairs. As such, historical fact of this nature is strongly associated with the attitudinal views which had often impede the chances of women to having more political representatives at the various local government levels in Cameroon. This therefore makes the study both timely and significant. This study endeavors to generate evidence-based recommendations for policymakers, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders to enhance women's political participation and foster more inclusive and equitable decision-making processes at the local level in Cameroon. By illuminating the complex dynamics shaping women's political agency and influence, this research contributes to broader efforts aimed at advancing gender equality, strengthening democratic governance, and promoting sustainable development in Cameroon and beyond. The research will equally be beneficial to NGOs, scholars and government agencies on gender related issues such as Inter-parliamentary Union, United Nations’ Division for the Advancement of Women (DAW) Committee for the Elimination of all form of Discriminations against Women (CEDAW) as it will aid them in their search for gender equality. In addition, the suggestions and recommendations that will be proffered in this study will help improve the level of political participation of women in Nigeria particularly Lagos States.   1.7 Scope of the Study  The scope of this study is on Women's Involvement in Local Governance and Decision-Making Processes in Cameroon.  The content scope will examine, factors political participation in local decision-making processes in Cameroon.  and strategies for promoting gender-responsive community participation in development initiatives in Cameroon. The geographical scope of the study will focus on Southern region of Cameroon. 1.8 Limitations of the Study Due to the case study approach focusing on specific communities’ Southern region of Cameroon, the findings may lack generalizability to other regions or countries. Therefore, caution will be exercised in extrapolating the results beyond the study context. More so, the study's sample selection process may introduce bias, as certain communities or demographic groups may be overrepresented or underrepresented. This could affect the validity and representativeness of the findings. Limited time and resources may restrict the scope of the study, impacting the depth of data collected and the comprehensiveness of the analysis. This could result in overlooking certain aspects or dynamics relevant to the research questions. Despite these limitations, the researcher will acknowledge and address these challenges transparently to enhance the credibility and rigor of the study. 1.9 Conceptual Clarifications Politics: Politics is the set of activities that are associated with making decisions in groups, or other forms of power relations among individuals, such as the distribution of resources or status. Political Participation: Political participation includes a broad range of activities through which people develop and express their opinions on the world and how it is governed, and try to take part in and shape the decisions that affect their lives. Grassroots politics: A grassroots politics is one that uses the people in a given district, region or community as the basis for a political or economic movement.