Women wave messages of equality, prowess

Under the patronage of the First Lady of Cameroon, women from all walks of life March Past the 20th May Boulevard with a message not only for the President of the Republic but also for the First Lady whom they expressed gratitude for her contribution to the wellbeing of women and young girls in Cameroon and beyond. Commemorating the 31st Edition of the International Women’s Day on the theme “Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment: Meeting the Challenges and Overcoming the Obstacles”, women brandished messages not only in support of the theme of the celebration, but also the need for gender equality which is an important component for the development of Cameroon.

Through a banner, Cameroonian women prayed “God almighty to continue granting wisdom and inspiration to His Excellency Paul Biya to pursue the building of our Dear and Beautiful Fatherland.” For over three hours, as the women marched past through different messages they said: Yes to equality of sex, yes to the autonomy of women, yes to the leadership of women and yes to the guarantee of decent jobs. Women through banners noted that the fight against mismanagement of public funds is an important aspect for their development and besides being next to their husbands for security and peace in the country, authorities concerned should create a platform for them in zones of conflict. Besides being engaged for autonomy in the professional milieu, women through a banner did not only mobilise against the common enemy Boko-Haram, but urged each other to counsel their children against joining the terrorist group.

Acclaiming the Universal Digital Economy which according to women is an added value for their employment, the women through placards stated that they are committed to the implementation of digital economy in the country. The women, through banners reaffirmed some of the major impediments against their autonomy. As such, they cried out through a poster “No to Violence! No to Genital Mutilation! No to Forced and Early Marriage!” Women did not also ignore those aspects which are a major problem to their health. As such they called on each other to fight against cancer of the cervix and breast as well as bleeding, which is a major cause of mortality amongst them. As Cameroonian women decided to depend on Jesus Christ to break all challenges and overcome all obstacles, they were joined by workers from the United Nations Systems in Cameroon as well as those from the United States Embassy in Yaounde to step up gender equality. A prominent message in this light read, “Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step it Up for Gender equality.

Songs and meaningful messages spiced March Past to grace Women’s Day commemoration in Yaounde.