March 8 march-past in Yaounde was a moment for women to brandish meaningful messages to the population and authorities on their rights and duties. Women from all walks of life yesterday March 8 in Yaounde were bearers of various messages on development, peace, gender equality, employment, human and election rights as they marched-past the 20^th May Boulevard to commemorate activities marking the 26^th edition of the International Women’s Day.

The march-past which was the climax and a symbolic aspect of the International Women’s Day in Cameroon was an opportunity for Cameroon’s First Lady’s personal representative, the Minister of Women’s Empowerment and the Family, Marie-Thérèse Abena Ondoa, some members of government and the diplomatic corps and other dignitaries to know that Cameroonian women have come of age, know the deeper meaning of Women’s Day which is not just about striving for gender equality but also affirming the role women can play as agents of sustainable development  in an emerging Cameroon. During the march-past, women did not only carry billboards which identified their various groups but also messages which revealed that women are also good decision makers and are equal to men for effective development. 

Theme of Commemoration

One hundred years ago, when the world first commemorated International Women’s Day, gender equality and women’s empowerment were largely radical ideas. This time around, women are affirming their role in the society which should be recognised by decision makers.  During yesterday’s commemoration, Cameroonian women were in perfect harmony with the United Nations Organisation theme: “Equal access to education, training, science and technology: pathway to decent work for women”.  As the women marched-past the 20^th May Boulevard, they did not only brandish placards carrying the theme of commemoration but also others messages which indicated that there is equal access to training and technologies for women in Cameroon. The women also used messages to call on authorities to ensure equal training and education without discrimination between women and men for this will not only be a pathway to sustainable development but also a guarantee for Cameroon to establish the impetus given through the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and especially MDG three which promotes gender equality and empower women.

Election Rights

Besides waving messages in which women said no to disorder, discrimination at work place, social exclusion, violence against women, HIV and malaria, female staff of Elections  Cameroon (Elecam) Centre Regional office through a prominent billboard called on Cameroonian women to register in the electoral register to make their voices better heard. According to Elecam female staff it is better for women to vote so as to best decide on their future.

While women hailed President Paul Biya for the announced recruitment of 25,000 youths into the Public Service, they also brandished messages consolidating the achievement of reunification, peace, unity and stressed that in the country disorder will not pass through them. During the over two-hour colourful march-past, women sang songs of praises not only to the Head of State but also songs that revealed that Cameroonian women are one.