“Irrespective of the possibilities of In Vitro Fertilization, Surrogacy & Artificial Insemination, Adoption and Custody procedures remain the most used legal procedures for couples in the quest for a child in Cameroon”
Child welfare in Cameroon is the inclusive system that ensures the safety and well-being of children which uses legal processes like custody and adoption to achieve permanence. When a child in Cameroon is at risk, child welfare agencies may intervene, leading to a change in custody. Adoption in Cameroon is a legal process that establishes permanent, full parental rights for a child, transitioning them out of the child welfare system, while custody in Cameroon is often a temporary arrangement to provide care and safety.
Invitro fertilization, artificial insemination and surrogacy are also measures engaged by persons in Cameroon to have children.
Cameroon being a Bijural system is composed of the Common Law and the Civil Law and issues related to adoption, custody and welfare are regulated by the Cameroon Civil Code applicable in the French region of Cameroon and the Matrimonial Causes Act of 1973 applicable in the English region of Cameroon.
Cameroon's law on medically assisted reproduction, including in vitro fertilization (IVF), was established by Law No. 2022/014 of July 14, 2022. This law governs the use of practices like IVF and is intended to help couples with medically diagnosed infertility issues.