Under Cameroon’s civil law, marriage is founded on the principle of marital freedom. Every individual enjoys the absolute right to select their own spouse and provide personal consent to the union.

The legal framework stipulates that this consent must be both free and informed—untainted by coercion or manipulation. Yet, despite these protections, entrenched cultural norms in certain communities still dictate that parents determine their child’s future partner.

In Cameroon’s West Region, this tradition persists despite modern legal provisions. Residents like Waffo Marie Chantal, who now lives in Yaoundé’s Madagascar neighborhood, explain the reasoning behind family-led selections. «When a parent chooses a spouse for their son or daughter, it’s to shield them from making a poor choice. The parent meticulously examines the target family’s history, ensuring no lineage of laziness exists. After verifying compatibility, they arrange meetings between families. If mutual agreement is reached, the couple is informed, and the customary marriage proceeds,» she shares, emphasizing that in her community, unions are seen as family alliances rather than individual decisions.

However, this practice faces growing resistance from younger generations. Audrey Wandji, a resident of Yaoundé’s Biyem-Assi district, reflects this shift in mindset. «Those days are gone when parents dictated who their daughters would marry. I refuse to accept such control. I want a partner I love deeply—and that can only be someone I’ve chosen myself,» she asserts.