FIDA Cameroon (or the International Federation of Women Lawyers – Cameroon) believes that every woman and child is entitled to fair, equitable and prompt legal assistance. It acts as a catalyst for effective access to justice not only for women and girls but all members of vulnerable groups in Cameroon. The availability and constant promotion of resources for immigration legal services represents a timely opportunity to ensure adequate and appropriate services can be accessed by those who need it.
The national immigration legal services directory is an essential source of information on immigration service offers across Cameroon. By publishing the directory on, FIDA Cameroon has been able to reach a wider audience than previously possible. The directory is committed access to information about services and resources available to promote and enforce one’s rights in Cameroon.
FIDA Cameroon supports local and national legal assistance programs aimed at protecting women and children from violence, discrimination and oppression. We work to enhance community knowledge of laws that protect women and girls while ensuring meaningful access to legal assistance. We identify legal and policy changes that support gender equality and advocate for implementation of reforms.
The success of the national immigration legal services directory in its humanitarian efforts cannot be overstated. In light of the complexity and scope of many current legislative issues facing the country, such as fighting against child and maternal mortality, securing reproductive health rights, protecting and promoting girls’ rights and combating the persistence of traditional practices harmful to their health, safety and dignity, providing reliable and readily accessible information is paramount to achieving FIDA’s goals.
An example of a successful case coordinated through FIDA Cameroon would be in the area of civil rights; where FIDA Cameroon frequently assists in securing the right of women to vote, hold property in their own names without the consent of their husbands (something which has been enshrined in law since 1973) and maintaining autonomy over their own earnings. FIDA Cameroon has also been successful in arranging, on those rare occasions when it is necessary, the provision of temporary or special permits to migrant workers and those on temporary work visas to ensure that these women can maintain their employment status and not be deported. The cost of pursuing a case through FIDA Cameroon is much lower, and its lawyers are able to assist in navigating a complex administrative system that would otherwise be closed off to women without legal training or significant financial means. The outcomes of such cases are vitally important to ensure that women are not left without housing, means or a stable home life due to governmental red tape.
One important reason for FIDA’s successes can be attributed to its staff, which is primarily composed of women who are able to understand and empathize with their clients’ social and economic vulnerabilities. Many are advocates in the fight against poverty and gender based violence, and dedicate their time and energy to assisting women with their legal needs. FIDA Cameroon has been called upon to assist in high profile cases that have garnered national media attention, as well as more low-profile requests for assistance in settling child visitation issues or conducting basic transactions.
As is often the case, when seeking access to legal services, women are frequently faced with unavailability when seeking to assert their rights. This lack of visibility and awareness surrounding legal services within the country can be perpetuated by a number of factors, such as socio-culturally embedded attitudes toward women’s rights and complex legal systems rooted in civil law.
The national immigration legal services directory provides information on the legal services available throughout Cameroon, which can be accessed by using the search function at the top right corner of the page. The results can then be filtered by clicking on any of the underlined categories listed on the left side of the screen.
With investment, encouragement and facilitation from organizations like FIDA Cameroon, it is hoped that women will continue to pursue their rights and develop economically, socially and culturally.