Women represent about 52% of the population of Cameroon. However, women hold only 25 of the 180 seats in Parliament (13.89%). According to a survey conducted in 2011, in the last parliamentary elections in 2007 only 37% of women exercised their right to vote.

This will be the first election in which the parties have been pressured by campaigners into meeting them. Quotas – and other routes to equal representation – are also being closely monitored by Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO), which last summer launched its Women In Power campaign, working to increase the involvement of women in decision-making at all levels.

Sources:

 http://www.mediaterre.org/actu,20130722072655,6.html

http://www.wdn.org/news-events-press-center/events/women-leaders-cameroon-unite

http://www.peacewomen.org/news_article.php?id=6048&type=news

Read also:

Cameroon: Female Candidates, Media in Election Campaign Synergy

For more information visit the Global Database of Quotas for Women and the Parline database on national parliaments