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When Pants Are a Protest: Womanhood in Cameroon
Today, to make matters worse, the city’s chaotic layout (this has not changed)— with nameless streets, homes missing proper addresses, and a distinct lack of sidewalks for pedestrians—leaves you wondering how anyone navigates through it all. The locals have come up with their own creative solutions to these issues, but it’s disheartening. And let’s not forget the potholes on the few bitumen roads; you have to wonder why we even have asphalt streets in a place where temperatures can soar to 35 degrees celsius. It is not surprising that people are constantly on edge and can’t relax. And if you try to relax and are thinking of taking a stroll to clear your mind or get some exercise, you might want to reconsider. It’s nearly impossible to walk or jog freely without constantly worrying about getting hit by a car, truck, or those reckless motorbikes called “benzikin” that now dominate public transportation (sorry, but the days of easily hopping on a shared bus are long gone). And that is not even mentioning the ever-present threat of muggings. Even those living in gated houses worry about being robbed at night by their own security guards. The city can feel more like a pressure cooker than a haven of relaxation; it’s a whirlwind of stress that really wears on people’s spirits.
And it’s not over. If you are a visitor keen on exploring the local market, it is best to leave your jewelry and watch back at the hotel or home. Seriously, hide your valuable items, or you might just find yourself on the wrong end of a mugging. I nearly forgot this little gem of advice until a friend who was taking me shopping took a look at me and ordered me to leave my purse behind and to stash away any earrings or jewelry for my own safety.
And it’s not just about protecting your valuables, how you dress matters, too. People will take offense if you wear something they deem too revealing—a consideration I had forgotten about until I experienced it firsthand. Once upon a time, while in Cameroon, I was unexpectedly turned away from a government building simply for wearing… pants. I was there to renew my passport at the local police station, but the armed guard at the entrance wouldn’t let me inside. He said he had received strict orders to deny entry to any woman dressed in pants. This prevailing mindset isn’t unique to Cameroon. I experienced something similar during a business trip to Uganda, where I was overseeing a USAID-funded project in collaboration with the Ministry of Education in Kampala. I was told that wearing pants was considered inappropriate. In fact, before I began a week-long trip to monitor project activities across Uganda—including visits to several rural villages—our (female) project director sent a colleague with me to the local market to buy clothing that was deemed more appropriate.
So, what does dressing appropriately really mean? I am not even sure. I need to mention that I have never had an issue with the way I dress in either the United States or in Europe. What I know is that it is quite a contrast from the United States, where women have the freedom to dress as they please without facing harassment on the streets, unlike in other parts of the world where women do experience such treatment. This includes Cameroon, where despite the scorching heat, it is unthinkable for a woman to wear a dress, shorts, or skirt that falls above the knee to the market without facing extreme harassment, being called names, or even attacks. Here is another anecdote. I have this lovely white dress that I absolutely adore. One day in Cameroon in August 2022, I decided to wear it, but my sister urged me to change clothes before heading out for my own safety.
Cameroon Through New Eyes | 9. A Generation Without Hope: Hope, Cynicism, and the Desire to Leave (Leave or Die Trying) — coming October 12, 2025
