Is Cameroon safe for women travellers?
Significant restrictions
Cameroon carries significant legal restrictions for women travellers — the clearest concern is anti-discrimination protection (no general protection).
What to know as a woman
the sourced facts that weigh most for you · concerns first
Cameroon has no general anti-discrimination statute covering sexual orientation or gender identity, which remain unprotected grounds in law.
Significant legal gaps remain for women — the WBL index scores 60/100 (2023). Expect unequal rules in areas such as mobility, marriage or the workplace; check local specifics before you travel.
Abortion is permitted only to save the woman’s life, to preserve her physical or mental health, or in cases of rape (Penal Code Sections 337-339); it is otherwise criminalised.
Identity & recognition
Same-sex relationships
CriminalisedSame-sex sexual acts are criminalised under Section 347-1 of Cameroon’s 2016 Penal Code, punishable by six months to five years’ imprisonment and a fine.
Legal gender recognition
Not possibleCameroon provides no legal or administrative procedure to change gender markers; the sex on the national ID card is fixed to the birth certificate.
Anti-discrimination protection
No general protectionCameroon has no general anti-discrimination statute covering sexual orientation or gender identity, which remain unprotected grounds in law.
Disability rights
CRPD 2023 + 2010 lawCameroon ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (deposited 28 September 2023) and has a 2010 disability protection law (Law No. 2010/002), but enforcement remains weak.
Women's legal rights
Major legal gapsSignificant legal gaps remain for women — the WBL index scores 60/100 (2023). Expect unequal rules in areas such as mobility, marriage or the workplace; check local specifics before you travel.
LGBTQ+ legal equality
Few or no protectionsLGBTQ+ people face a hostile legal environment — Equaldex scores 4/100 (2026); expect few or no protections, and in some places active criminalisation. Research local law and discretion carefully.
Body & health
Abortion access
Life/health/rape onlyAbortion is permitted only to save the woman’s life, to preserve her physical or mental health, or in cases of rape (Penal Code Sections 337-339); it is otherwise criminalised.
Cannabis & personal drug law
Illegal · severe penaltyCannabis is illegal under Law No. 97/019 of 7 August 1997; possession, cultivation and trafficking carry heavy prison terms and fines.
Faith & conscience
Government restriction of religion
Moderate restrictionsPew Research Center’s Government Restrictions Index places Cameroon in the moderate band (GRI score around 2.9), indicating moderate government restrictions on religion.
Blasphemy & apostasy law
On the booksSection 241 of the Penal Code criminalises contempt of a religion (up to six months’ imprisonment and a fine), a religious-insult law that exists but is rarely enforced.
Speech & press
Freedom of expression
Not free · 15/100Rated Not Free, 15/100, by Freedom House (2025).
Your obligations on arrival
Address / residence registration
Foreign nationals staying more than three months must obtain a residence permit (carte de sejour) from immigration authorities; students on long-stay/study visas must complete this registration after arrival.
Student work rights
A Cameroonian student visa does not by itself authorise employment; paid work requires a separate work permit from the Ministry of Labour, and no set number of permitted study-time work hours is defined.
Health insurance
Travel or health insurance is not a legal requirement to enter Cameroon or obtain a visa, though it is strongly recommended; proof of yellow fever vaccination is, however, mandatory.
Bringing medication
Personal importation of medicines generally requires prior authorisation from the Ministry of Public Health; travellers should carry a signed doctor’s prescription (generic and brand names, dosage), and controlled substances need special permits.
Laws differ from lived experience and this is not legal advice. Each fact shows its evidence type, date and source. Full method & sources →
Emergency numbers
Travel-medical cover that works abroad with no local address, and a data eSIM so maps and messaging work the moment you land.