Women of all walks of life joined the Minister of Women’s Empowerment and the Family, Prof. Marie Thérèse Abena Ondoa, in an athletic walk in Yaounde on Saturday March 5, 2016. This was in prelude to the celebration of the 2016 International Women’s Day on March 8.

Minister Marie Thérèse Abena Ondoa called on the women to practise sports regularly in order to ensure good health. She expressed satisfaction with the massive turnout of people of all sectors of the society. This, according to her, means that everybody supports the cause of women and works together for the improvement of their conditions and contributions to the development of the nation.

For 1 hour, 30 minutes, the women walked on major streets of Yaounde, covering a distance of seven kilometres. The objective was for them to get together and share their abilities in sports as well as relax. The athletic walk was concluded with a keep-fit exercise led by instructors from the Ministry of Sports and Physical Education. Minister Marie Thérèse Abena Ondoa also presided a 600-metre female tricycle and wheel chair races. Trophies were awarded to the winners and as well as all participants.

Also present at the walk was the Minister of Sports and Physical Education, Dr. Bidoung Mkpatt, the Minister of Public Health, André Mama Fouda, representatives of United Nations agencies, women’s associations and the civil society. Prominent among the ministries that took part in the walk were those of Basic Education, Secondary Education, Higher Education Transport, Economy, Planning and Regional Development and Public Health.

There was also the presence of the General Delegation for National Security, the Cameroon News Editing and Publishing Corporation, SOPECAM, the Cameroon Radio and Television Corporation, CRTV, among other guests.