This Youth Month, the Society of Gynecologists and Obstetricians in Cameroon (SOGOC) hosted a vital table discussion with 15 selected youth from various schools. Our goal? To raise awareness about the dangers of unsafe abortion and empower young people with essential knowledge on sexual education.

Recent reports highlight a troubling rise in unsafe abortions among youths, especially during the Valentine’s Day period when many engage in sexual activities. This often leads to unwanted pregnancies, pushing them toward risky and dangerous abortion methods due to societal and familial pressures.
During our event, we screened a powerful documentary featuring testimonies from victims of unsafe abortion, highlighting the urgent need for open conversations about sexual health.

One key takeaway was the importance of parents creating a safe environment for discussing sexual education.
SOGOC also provided insights into the legal aspects of abortion, specifically the penalties outlined in the Penal Code (Sections 337-339). The enthusiasm from our participants was inspiring; they committed to sharing the knowledge gained with their peers and expressed gratitude for the initiative, pledging to support the ACAC Project advocacy.

With increasing statistics of maternal morbidity and deaths linked to unsafe abortions, it’s clear that we must continue to sensitize young people about responsible sexual and reproductive health practices, including abstinence, safe sex, and contraception use.
