Men in Cameroon could soon be jailed for adultery, just like women

Cameroon's parliament has voted to change the country's penal code to criminalize adultery for men.

Until now, adultery has been a criminal act for women only.

The changes approved late Wednesday are expected to be endorsed by both the Senate and President Paul Biya, who had proposed the revision.

The penal code says women should be punished for adultery with two to six months in prison or with fines of up to about $175.

Men would face the same punishment under the expected changes.

Barrister Nick Tazoh of the Cameroon Bar Council says the law is taking the central African country backward and will send more people to already congested prisons.