The Impact of Governance on Structural Violence in Cameroon

Abdel Salam Pekekue Aretouyap

Abstract

Governance inefficiency is responsible for unspeakable feelings of structural violence and political disenchantment. Cameroon like many other African countries is afflicted by weak governance. This study investigates the intricate relationship between governance and structural violence in Cameroon, a nation grappling with multifaceted crises rooted in historical injustices and socio-political challenges. Structural violence, defined as systematic ways in which social structures harm individuals by preventing them from meeting their basic needs, manifests in various forms, including economic deprivation, social inequality, and political marginalization. This research reveals that governance in Cameroon, characterized by corruption, sociopolitical crisis, and lack of accountability, exacerbates structural violence, particularly affecting marginalized communities. By employing a qualitative methodological framework, this study analyzes governmental policies, civil society responses, and the pervasive impact on civilian populations in the education sector, health sector, and economic sector which are domains where structural violence inflicted on the poor is the product of poor governance or bad policies. It argues that the failure of governance to address socio-economic disparities not only perpetuates structural violence but also contributes to the escalation of direct violence, further destabilizing an already fragile social fabric. Ultimately, this research emphasizes the urgent need for inclusive governance reforms that address the root causes of structural violence to foster peace, social justice, and sustainable development in Cameroon.

Keywords

governance; structural violence; Cameroon.

Cite This Article

Aretouyap, A. S. P. (2024). The Impact of Governance on Structural Violence in Cameroon. International Journal of Scientific Advances (IJSCIA), Volume 5| Issue 6: Nov-Dec 2024, Pages 1157-1166, URL: https://www.ijscia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Volume5-Issue6-Nov-Dec-No.702-1157-1166.pdf

Volume 5 | Issue 6: Nov – Dec 2024