Challenges and Problems of the Rural Woman in the Armed Conflict of the Anglophone Regions of Cameroon

The armed conflict in the Anglophone regions of Cameroon has greatly transformed the life of the rural woman in the armed conflict regions. The rural woman has lost her freedom and the important role she played in her society prior to this armed conflict. This study aims at examining the challenges and problems of the rural woman as a result of the armed conflict in the Anglophone regions of Cameroon. To obtain data, the mixed research method was used as qualitative and quantitative data were collected through secondary and primary sources. The analysis of the data revealed the results that follow. The high targeted killing, torture, arbitrary arrests and kidnappings of male adolescents and male adults by armed men has made many males to migrate out of the armed conflict zone, leaving behind the rural woman with the pain of not living with her sons and husband; the rural woman is a victim of financial and material extortion by the armed men. The rarity of men in many villages in the conflict zone has forced the rural woman to carryout taboo activities such as digging of graves and burying of the dead. She lives in great fear as she is a victim of rape, is easily hit by stray bullets and the sounds of gunshots have brought adverse effects to her health. There is therefore the need for the protection of the rural woman in this armed conflict zone as she is hardly involved in the fighting but appears to be a great loser having lost many of her loved ones in the armed conflict.