Introduction

At first, it may look like a love story. Then come the criticism, restrictions, suspicion, and control over friendships, clothing, phones, or movements. Little by little, what was presented as affection can become a form of control. When these warning signs are downplayed or ignored, violence can reach its most tragic outcome: death. Cameroon is currently facing a particularly worrying situation. According to figures presented by the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and the Family to the National Assembly, 50 cases of femicide were officially recorded between January and April 2026, following 56 cases in 2023, 67 in 2024, and approximately 77 in 2025.

Violence Is Not Proof of Love

How does it get to this point? Alcohol, arguments, jealousy, or a childhood marked by violence may be associated with some cases of violence. However, they cannot be used as excuses. Claiming that a woman “provoked” her partner can never justify an assault. An argument gives no one the right to hit, threaten, or kill. Responsibility for violence lies with the person who chooses to commit it. Control is also a particularly worrying warning sign. When a partner seeks to decide how his wife should dress, who she can see, where she can go, or whom she can associate with, this is no longer simply jealousy. It may be part of a broader pattern of domination and control.

Before the Worst, There Are Sometimes Warning Signs

Violence can take many forms: insults, humiliation, threats, harassment, isolation, and control. Not all forms of violence immediately leave visible marks. This is why waiting for physical abuse before taking violence seriously can be a serious mistake. Repeated humiliation, threats, constant monitoring, or systematic restrictions can already be warning signs. The real challenge is therefore to learn to recognize these signs before they become irreversible.

Responsibility Is Collective

Behind every woman killed by her partner, there is not only a victim and a perpetrator. There is also a society that must question its own responsibility. Cameroonian authorities themselves acknowledge the scale of the problem and have announced various prevention and protection measures. The Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and the Family reports the existence of safe shelters and specialized services within security institutions. However, such mechanisms are effective only if they are known, accessible, and genuinely operational. In June 2026, Human Rights Watch denounced shortcomings in protection and access to justice for women victims of violence in Cameroon.

Conclusion

Femicide is not proof of love gone wrong. It is not simply a marital dispute. It is violence that may be preceded by warning signs that we must learn to recognize. How many warning signs must we continue to ignore before another life is shattered? The fight against femicide therefore begins long before murder: through prevention, listening, protection, and a collective refusal to normalize violence.