Widowhood in Cameroon

What is it about?

Cameroonian widows could be denied inheritance rights when their husbands die. This preliminary study suggests that widows in anglophone areas are most at risk of widow dispossession, compared to widows in francophone areas. The impact of customary systems and the civil law and common law on these results are considered. Explanations for these findings include the role of tradition, the influence of religion, and the effects of colonialism.

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Why is it important?

This work contributes to understandings about civil law and common law differences in sub-Saharan Africa. The study also adds to the limited legal research on widowhood in Cameroon.