Cintia A. , Lebledparle.com
Customary marriage is now officially recognized in Cameroon as the President of the Republic has given this highly respected tradition a force of law. The legislation now mandates the transcription of such unions into the Civil Status Registry, with the new law stipulating that “customary marriage is now equivalent to civil marriage.”
According to the provisions of this law, customary marriages must be declared to the civil registrar of the spouses’ place of birth, residence, or the location where the marriage was celebrated. This requirement ensures the official recognition of the union and guarantees the rights of the spouses.
Furthermore, the law specifies that a woman cannot be married under customary law more than once without the first marriage being annulled. This measure aims to prevent abuses and clarify individuals’ marital status, thereby strengthening the protection of women’s rights within customary unions.
Protecting Women’s Rights
In Cameroon’s social context, customary marriage is a tradition among most ethnic groups in the country. It has long been considered a foundation for blessing the union between two individuals. However, it remained in the background for years but this new legislation marks a historic turning point in the protection of women’s rights in Cameroon.
Until now, many wives traditionally married under customary rites found themselves in a precarious legal position, particularly concerning inheritance rights after their spouse’s death. The official recognition of traditional marriage fills a legal void that has long disadvantaged women married under customary law. This legislative advance is expected to put an end to situations where widows were denied their inheritance rights due to the lack of legal recognition of their union.
This reform is part of a broader effort to modernize Cameroonian law while preserving deeply rooted traditional values. It represents a compromise between modern legal standards and customary practices that still significantly influence social life in Cameroon.
