2024-04-18 05:35:26
One year before the crucial 2025 election, the battle for the presidency already promises to be explosive Cameroon. And it’s Joshua Osih, the national president of the Social Democratic Front (SDF), who has just thrown a spanner in the works. During his national tour, he placed the issue of discrimination against women in politics at the heart of the debate, as exclusively revealed by 237online.com. A strong position which promises to shake up the campaign and confront the Biya regime with its contradictions.
A relentless indictment against 40 years of discrimination
A fit and determined Joshua Osih began his tour in the regions of the far north, meeting SDF activists but also traditional, religious and administrative authorities. The opportunity for the Chairman to take the temperature of the country, but also to hammer home his key messages.
And the least we can say is that he did not go with the back of the spoon when it came to denouncing the condition of women under the reign of Paul Biya. “We cannot do worse than the Biya Regime in 40 years of reign, women are doubly discriminated against“, he thundered in front of a cheering crowd.
Beliefs, language, community: the infernal triptych of discrimination
Because for Joshua Osih, discrimination against women in Cameroon is multifaceted and systemic. They are penalized “ because of their religious beliefs, because of their linguistic affiliation, because of their community affiliation“, he detailed, pointing out the fractures that undermine Cameroonian society.
But beyond these discriminations “ horizontal“, it is as women that they are kept in a situation of inferiority. An unacceptable double punishment, which prevents them from taking their full place in the public and political life of the country.
The highest institutions, an insurmountable glass ceiling
And the numbers are there to prove it. “ Of the 7 most important institutions in this country, none is headed by a woman”the leader of the SDF was indignant, citing the Presidency of the Republic, the Prime Ministry, the National Assembly, the Senate, the Constitutional Council, the Supreme Court and the Economic and Social Council.
An overwhelming observation, which testifies to the persistence of a seemingly insurmountable glass ceiling for Cameroonian women. Despite their skills and their commitment, they remain confined to subordinate roles, excluded from the circles of power where decisions that affect the future of the country are made.
« It has to change ! »: the vibrant appeal of Joshua Osih
Faced with this glaring injustice, Joshua Osih made an unambiguous appeal: ” It has to change !“. For him, the emancipation of women and their access to the highest responsibilities is not an option, but an absolute necessity for Cameroon in the 21st century.
And he intends to make it a priority when he comes to power. “We intend to give it a place once we lead this country”he promised, to the cheers of activists won over by this message of hope and equality.
The battle for the female electorate is on
By placing the issue of gender equality at the heart of his campaign, Joshua Osih is making a bold bet. That of mobilizing the female electorate, too often neglected by the traditional political class. A crucial electorate, however, which represents more than half of potential voters.
It remains to be seen whether this resolutely progressive and feminist speech will be enough to convince Cameroonians to give him their votes. One thing is certain: by shaking up the status quo, by putting his foot down, the Chairman of the SDF has achieved a nice political coup. He confronts his adversaries, and first and foremost the outgoing regime, with their contradictions and their inaction on this crucial subject.
2025, a historic meeting for Cameroonian women
As the battle for the presidential election rages on, one thing is certain: the question of the place of women in politics will be at the heart of the debates. And that’s good. It is time for Cameroon to finally take up this subject, to make real equality a national priority.
Because beyond the campaign promises, it is a real change in mentalities that is necessary. A collective burst to break the glass ceiling, remove the obstacles that prevent women from taking their full place in society.
2025 will be a historic event for Cameroonian women. The opportunity to make their voices heard, to weigh with all their weight in the choice of the one who will preside over the destiny of the country. But also and above all, the opportunity to make equality a reality, to finally build this inclusive and progressive Cameroon of which they dream.
A Cameroon where talent and skills take precedence over gender, where everyone can aspire to the highest positions without coming up against prejudices from another age. This Cameroon, Joshua Osih promises to build it. It’s up to voters to decide whether they will give him the means. See you at the polls, for a vote that already promises to be historic!