780- New offences such as female genital mutilations, prevention of growth of an organ 408, sexual harassment sanctioned by the provisions of sections 277-1, 277-2 and 302-1 of the Penal Code respectively have come to complete the existing provisions meanwhile trafficking in persons and slavery409 have been included in section 342-1. Eviction of the spouse from the matrimonial home is henceforth punishable by section 358-1 thus protecting the surviving spouse410 from in-laws as regards property acquired by the couple. Refusal to provide resources for women could be grounds for sanction such as payment of maintenance, survivor’s pension and desertion thus allowing the woman to initiate proceedings before a court pursuant to Sections 180, 180-1 and 358 of the Penal Code. Also, discriminatory provisions were removed from the Code. As such, section 361 of the PC henceforth punishes without distinction and with the same sanctions, adultery by both the woman and the man. Moreover, pursuant to section 297, subsequent marriage between the offender in case of rape and the victim shall no longer have an effect on prosecution and conviction. The PC in sanctioning early marriage in Section 356 (2) eliminates disparities and harmonises the age below which a girl or boy cannot be given to marriage, that is not before 18 years. 781- At the institutional level, one of the 6 thrusts of the NGP concerns promoting the right to a healthy socio-economic environment for the respect of women’s rights. One of the results indicators from the implementation of the Multisector Plan of Action is the reduction of the rate of prevalence of gender based violence by involving community leaders, increasing the number of centres receiving victims of violence and increasing the number of civil servants trained. §2: Policies to combat violence against women and girls. 782- A national strategy to combat gender based violence (GBV) was developed in 2012 while the National Plan of Action to eliminate Female Genital Mutilations continued to serve as the guiding principle for the fight against this scourge which still has a low prevalence rate in Cameroon. Both strategic documents were updated in 2016. 783- In 2017, a study was carried out on gender based violence in Cameroon revealed that the prevalence rate of FGM was about 1.4% across the country and 20% in high prevalence areas (Far North and South West Regions). The goal of this study was too adjust national response and make it more efficient. 784- The activity was double faceted: prevention and protection. A: Preventive Measures 785- In order to prevent violence against women, several measures were adopted including awareness-raising and advocacy campaigns, distribution of legal instruments and training of several actors. 786- Campaigns were organised during ordinary periods and during the commemoration of international days set aside for women, widows and young girls such as the campaign “16 days of activism to combat violence against women”. On the occasion of the 9th edition of this campaign, the Minister of Women’s Empowerment and the Family published a letter in the daily newspaper Cameroon Tribune411, to sensitise families and appeal to the conscience of all on “the dehumanising and unbearable nature of several forms of violence against women and girls in their families and socio-professional environments”. 408 This includes breast ironing. This offence was sanctioned by provisions of law No. 2011/24 of 14 December 2011 relating to the fight against trafficking and slavery of persons. 410 Widows are actually the most exposed to this. 411 Publication of 4 December 2015. 131 409