Cameroon’s First Lady Madam Chantal BIYA presided on 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 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. Even the Central African Republic with the ongoing problems was not left out, as well as refugee women living in Cameroon.
A meal at the Hilton Hotel officially brought the festivities to a close. It is however the common practice that feasting will continue in the residential neighbourhoods till the early hours of tomorrow.
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.
