Thesis (LLM) - Cyprus International University. Institute of Graduate Studies and Research International Law Department

Includes bibliography (sheets 59-64)

In recent time, marriage has known significant decline in the world at large while the rate of divorce and separation keeps increasing and as a result of this, we notice more and more single mothers across the globe which Africa is no exemption. However, unlike European Nations where proper legislations have been put in place regarding child support, in most African countries on the contrary, not only do single mothers suffer from societal challenges like social stigmas their legal protection are often neglected in Cameroon legal system especially regarding the implementation of child support. Despite the government’s attempt to promote women’s rights as well as the outgrowing number of voices risen to denounce challenges faced by single mothers, single motherhood still remains a major challenge in Cameroon both to the child\children and the mother. This research derives from case studies observed within the society and in-depth study of single motherhood in Cameroon based on analysis from first hand data collection and the exploration of Cameroon Demographic Health Survey regarding . It will talk about information collected from single mothers others regarding their experience or experience witnessed. Specifically, a survey will be carried out through questionnaires to collect data on the various challenges and marginalization single mothers from premarital childbearing face in Cameroon. The result is set to show how majority of single mothers from premarital child bearing single handedly take responsibility of their children without the biological father being bothered by the law while advocating for a better legal follow up as seen in other countries and in conformity with international human rights norms.