Shirt a Phobia

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Shakiro (born 29 July 1997) is a Cameroonian human rights activist. She became known for talking about her experiences as a transgender woman on social media, including Facebook and YouTube. In 2021, Shakiro was arrested and charged with “attempted homosexuality”, and was sentenced to five years in prison. She fled Cameroon later that year, living in hiding in Nigeria before receiving asylum in Belgium in 2023.

Early life and education

Shakiro was born and raised in Douala, to a family originally from Bafang in West Province.[1] She was significantly bullied in school, which led to her leaving; she later graduated from the University of Buea.[2]

Activism

Shakiro became known in Cameroon after she came out as a transgender woman in a social media post.[3] She began regularly posting videos on Facebook and YouTube, including about cosmetics as well as the experiences of LGBTQ people in the country. In many of her videos, Shakiro denounced Cameroon’s anti-homosexuality laws.[4][5]

In 2020, Shakiro was physically assaulted in Douala, following which she temporarily retracted her coming out.[6]

2021 arrest and imprisonment

On 8 February 2021, Shakiro and another transgender woman, Patricia, were arrested at a restaurant in Douala for wearing women’s clothing. They were subsequently interrogated without lawyers present, before being detained in a local prison. Shakiro was raped on multiple occasions during her detention.[4][7][8][9] Alice Nkom went on to represent Shakiro when the case went to trial.[10][11]

On 1 May 2021, Shakiro and Patricia were found guilty of “attempted homosexuality” and “outraging public decency”, in addition to not possessing the correct identification documents. They were sentenced to the maximum five years’ imprisonment, in addition to being ordered to pay a 200,000 XAF fine.[1][4][12] Nkom described the sentence as a “hammer blow” and stated “the message is clear: homosexuals don’t have a place in Cameroon”.[4] The human rights organisation Human Rights Watch called on the Cameroonian government to repeal its anti-homosexuality laws and to “stop interfering in Cameroonians’ private lives”.[7]

Exile and asylum

Shakiro appealed the sentence, which led to her being released from custody on 16 July 2021 while the appeal was considered. On 10 August, Shakiro and another transgender woman were forcibly removed from a taxi in Douala and assaulted by a mob, following which Shakiro left the country. She spent a year living in hiding in Nigeria, during which time she reported presenting as a male to prevent further attacks.[5][8][13][14]

In 2022, while in Nigeria, Shakiro made two social media posts naming Cameroonian public figures whom she alleged were homosexual or bisexual.[15][16] The posts were criticised by some LGBTQ activists in Cameroon; Shakiro subsequently apologised and deleted the posts.[2]

In 2023, Shakiro obtained a refugee visa and moved to Brussels, Belgium.[13]

References

  1. ^ a b Glez, Damien (13 August 2021). “Affaire Shakiro et Patricia : au Cameroun, homophobie et transphobie ont (toujours) le vent en poupe” [The Shakiro and Patricia case: in Cameroon, homophobia and transphobia are (still) on the rise]. Jeune Afrique (in French). Archived from the original on 13 August 2021. Retrieved 23 March 2026.
  2. ^ a b Nkontchou, Ghislain J. (9 September 2022). “Cameroon: Shakiro ‘outs’ alleged LGBT celebrities, then apologizes”. Erasing 76 Crimes. Archived from the original on 17 February 2026. Retrieved 23 March 2026.
  3. ^ “Une femme transgenre condamnée pour “tentative d’homosexualité” au Cameroun a rejoint la Belgique” [A transgender woman convicted of “attempted homosexuality” in Cameroon has fled to Belgium]. 7sur7.be (in French). 23 January 2023. Archived from the original on 23 March 2026. Retrieved 23 March 2026.
  4. ^ a b c d “Cameroon jails transgender women for ‘attempted homosexuality’“. BBC News. 12 May 2021. Archived from the original on 19 December 2025. Retrieved 23 March 2026.
  5. ^ a b Sanderson, Sertan (27 January 2023). “Cameroonian transgender activist arrives in Belgium after receiving asylum”. InfoMigrants. Archived from the original on 10 February 2026. Retrieved 23 March 2026.
  6. ^ Foute, Franck (15 May 2021). “Cameroun – Affaire Shakiro et Patricia : le débat sur la pénalisation de l’homosexualité relancé” [Cameroon – Shakiro and Patricia case: the debate on criminalising homosexuality has been reignited]. Jeune Afrique (in French). Archived from the original on 22 July 2025. Retrieved 23 March 2026.
  7. ^ a b “In Cameroon Transgender Women Give Five-Years in Prison”. Human Rights Watch. 12 May 2021. Archived from the original on 18 February 2026. Retrieved 23 March 2026.
  8. ^ a b Hunte, Ben (31 March 2023). “‘Now I’m Free’: Influencer Jailed for 5 Years for Being Trans Speaks Out”. Vice. Archived from the original on 3 February 2026. Retrieved 23 March 2026.
  9. ^ Dorine, Diana (26 May 2021). “Five-Year Prison Sentences For Attempted Homosexuality In Cameroon”. Human Rights Pulse. Archived from the original on 2 June 2021. Retrieved 23 March 2026.
  10. ^ Allegrozzi, Ilaria (10 August 2021). “Une violente agression transphobe filmée au Cameroun” [A violent transphobic attack filmed in Cameroon]. Human Rights Watch (in French). Archived from the original on 5 October 2025. Retrieved 23 March 2026.
  11. ^ “Au Cameroun, deux femmes transgenres ont été condamnées à cinq ans de prison” [In Cameroon, two transgender women were sentenced to five years in prison]. Human Rights Watch (in French). 12 May 2021. Archived from the original on 2 March 2026. Retrieved 23 March 2026.
  12. ^ “Cameroon jails two transgender women for “attempted homosexuality”“. CNN. 11 May 2021. Archived from the original on 15 July 2024. Retrieved 23 March 2026.
  13. ^ a b Sadutto, Maurizio (25 February 2023). “En danger de mort à cause de sa transidentité au Cameroun, Shakiro trouve refuge en Belgique” [In danger of death because of her transgender identity in Cameroon, Shakiro finds refuge in Belgium]. RTBF (in French). Archived from the original on 4 August 2023. Retrieved 23 March 2026.
  14. ^ “Cameroon Trans Takes Belgium Refuge”. VOA. 26 January 2023. Archived from the original on 17 February 2026. Retrieved 23 March 2026.
  15. ^ Djaleu, Armand (24 July 2022). “Voici la vidéo où Shakiro dit détenir les preuves de l’homosexualité de certaines stars de notre pays” [Here is the video where Shakiro claims to have proof of the homosexuality of certain stars in our country]. Actu Cameroun (in French). Archived from the original on 22 December 2023. Retrieved 23 March 2026.
  16. ^ Asen, Elisabeth (20 July 2021). “Etre transgenre, c’est vivre en danger” [Being transgender means living in danger]. DW (in French). Archived from the original on 15 January 2025. Retrieved 23 March 2026.