It was a satisfied and fulfilled Littoral Regional Delegate of Women’s Empowerment and the Family, Makoto Isabelle Lafortune, who addressed the press last Saturday March 8, 2014 afternoon at the UDEAC Ceremonial Ground.
This was shortly after the about three-hour march past which crowned sports, gastronomic, economic and socio-cultural activities earmarked for the commemoration of the 29th edition of the International Women’s Day, of which the women Wouri Divisional headquarters, Douala, revealed their prowess through massive participation.
With theme, “Challenges and Achievements of the Millennium Development Goals for Women and Girls,” the apotheosis of weeklong actions was presided over by Governor Joseph Beti Assomo, alongside a host of men to turned out en masse to support their mothers, wives, sisters and colleagues.
In a colourful and hitch-free march past and dressed in their women fabric retained for this year, women groups ranging from the administration, socio-cultural and religious associations, diplomatic representations and political parties, displayed their joy at the ceremonial ground.
With placards and banners advocating for empowerment, parity, amongst other values, it was a moment for the onlookers to discover the female folk in fields of activity previously reserved for men. The passage of women groups in heavy-duty trucks, financial structures and the forces of law and order, among others, was accompanied by applauses from the crowd, as a sign of admiration.
It would be noted that the celebrations in Douala, of which five out of the six subdivisions (except Manoka) were represented, saw the presence of men and children with whom these women are called to live in the society. In her speech, Makota Isabelle Lafortune, alongside the other speakers of the day, unanimously lauded the strides covered so far towards women empowerment and emancipation, though requesting for parity at all levels, for the effective achievement of the Millennium Development Goals; a prerequisite for society’s redemption.
