Cameroonian women are making
great strides both socially and in business.
MorineNchekeTanyi in Yaounde
Cameroon’s First Lady Madam
Chantal BIYA presided over the 8th of March 2014 a grand march past at the 20th
May Boulevard to celebrate the 29th edition of the International Women’s Day.
Thousands
of women from all shades of life took part in the festivities that were held
this year under the theme: “Challenges and achievements in the implementation
of the Millennium Development Goals for women and girls”.
The Minister of Women’s
Empowerment and the Family, Madam ABENA ONDOA née OBAMA Marie Therese was on
hand at about 11 am to welcome the First Lady to the ceremonial grounds. After
the execution of the national anthem, the march past started, with music
produced by the band of the National Gendarmerie.
The
march-past consisted of nine wagons, each made up of groups of women
corresponding to the subject of the wagon, such as sovereignty, Communication,
production, civil society, women’s networks, etc. Women from various
ministries, corporations, associations and institutions filed past the First
Lady who was assisted by the wives of senior state personalities.
A
remarkable presence was that of Sarah LIENGU ETONGE, the Queen of Mount
Cameroon, who was heavily applauded as she marched past, followed by the
women’s volley ball team that just qualified for the world cup in that
discipline.
Women
from friendly countries, such as the United States of America, France, Gabon,
Congo and DR Congo showed up to celebrate with their Cameroonian sisters. The
French Ambassador also joined the women to march-pass. Even women from the
war-torn Central African Republic were not left out, as well as refugee women
living in Cameroon.
A
cocktail at the Hilton Hotel officially brought the festivities to a close.
Heavy feasting continued in the residential neighborhoods till late into the
night.
The
women will always remember the smiles and acknowledgements of the Madam Chantal
BIYA whose presence at the grand stand gave them a lot of joy and satisfaction.
The mother of the nation, as usual, was once more at the disposal of the
Cameroonian woman, to share with them in their joys, their happiness and their
common humanity as she has always done.
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