Brenda Yufeh
17 March 2008
One week after celebrations marking the 23rd International Women's Day, women of the South Province gathered at Meyomessala, some 200 kilometres from Yaounde, to organise a series of festivities marking their day.
Through a massive marriage celebration, colourful march-past, exhibition and cultural animations, as well as the inauguration of a monument dedicated to women, the women celebrated in the presence of the First Lady's Representative, Mrs Suzanne Mbomback, Minister of Women's Empowerment and the Family. Joining Minister Suzanne Mbomback, were several members of government, members of the diplomatic corps, and members of the Circle of Friends of Cameroon (CERAC), authorities from the Dja and Lobo Division, as well as the Meyomessala Sub-Division.
It was a ceremony not only for women. People from all walks of life and age groups turned out at the Meyomessala grand stand to give the day the meaning it deserves. Husbands and children joined their wives to commemorate the day through a march-past rich in style and colour. The messages highlighted during the march-past focused on the theme of this year's celebration; "Investing in women and girls". Through the rhythm of the Fanfare of INJS, the population marched-past together with those who decided to tie their love in matrimony. The occasion was an opportunity for the population of the Dja and Lobo Division to laud the Head of State for all his actions to guarantee peace and social dialogue.
The First Lady's action in favour of women and girls was not left out. In songs the population hailed Mrs Chantal Biya as the right First Lady for Cameroon. To put songs into action, the First Lady's solidarity and kind gestures was once more felt by women of the area. Through a kitchen competition organised by the First Lady, Mrs Chantal Biya, four women in Meyomessala each received a gas cooker from the First Lady for having the cleanest and well organised kitchen. The Presidential couple also handed special gifts to the four oldest couples amongst the 41 newly wedded in Meyomessala. Women's Day celebration was also a time of payment for some rural women in the areas. An association of female elite in the South Province handed agricultural material to some meritorious women. To give women the value and praise they merit, a monument dedicated to women by the Mayor of Meyomessala, Mr André Bruno Mfenda Essii, was inaugurated by the First Lady's representative.
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