In Cameroon’s civil law framework, marriage is founded on the principle of free choice, granting each individual the autonomy to select their spouse and give personal consent to the union.

Legal provisions explicitly require that this consent be both voluntary and informed, free from any form of coercion or violence. Yet, despite these clear legal safeguards, traditional customs in certain communities still dictate that parents take the lead in choosing a spouse for their children.

This clash between modern legal rights and age-old traditions is vividly illustrated in the experiences of citizens from Cameroon’s West Region. Take Waffo Marie Chantal, for instance, who shared her perspective while in Yaoundé’s Madagascar neighborhood: “When a parent selects a bride for their son, the intention is to shield him from making a poor choice. The parent meticulously investigates the candidate’s lineage, assessing their family’s reputation across generations. They ensure the family isn’t known for laziness or misconduct. Once satisfied, the parent arranges meetings with the prospective in-laws. If mutual agreement is reached, the couple is informed, and the union is formalized according to local customs.” She emphasized that in her community, marriage is seen as a bond between families, not merely individuals.

However, younger generations are increasingly rejecting this practice. Audrey Wandji, a resident of Yaoundé’s Biyem-Assi neighborhood, firmly stated: “We are no longer in an era where parents decide who their daughters marry. I would never accept such an arrangement. I want a partner I love wholeheartedly, and that can only be someone I’ve chosen myself.”