The footprints left by the 25th International Women's Day celebrations in Cameroon remain visible in many minds. The effervescence that surrounded celebrations nationwide left no one indifferent. Even the men, some of who continue to raise questions on the raison d'être of the day, could not hold their breath in the face of such organised ecstasy.

First observed on February 28, 1909 in the United States following a declaration by the Socialist Party of America, the "holiday" gradually blended in the culture of many countries, primarily Eastern Europe, Russia and the former Soviet bloc. In effect, the whole idea of having an international women's day was first put forward at the turn of the 20th century amid rapid world industrialisation and economic expansion that gave birth to protests over working conditions. Whereas in many regions, the day seems to have lost its political flavour to become simply an occasion for men to express their love for women in a way almost similar to a mixture of Mother's Day and Valentine's Day, the original political and human rights spirit designated by the United Nations continue to run strong with the political and social awareness of the struggles of women worldwide brought out and examined with rekindled hope.

This year, the International Committee of the Red Cross drew attention to the hardship displaced women endure; a displacement that translates one of the gravest consequences of today's armed conflicts. Women displaced by armed conflict, often living alone with their children, are frequently exposed to sexual violence, discrimination and intimidation. They are equally known to face poverty and social exclusion. In the same vein, the United Nations proposed a theme around which both women and men should reflect; "Equal Rights, Equal Opportunities: Progress for all".

The Minister of Women's Affairs and the Family, Marie-Thérèse Obama, was quite vocal about the theme calling on women to continue to reflect on it with the pious hope of igniting change and improving their conditions and status. She frowned at women who build up negative image around the womenfolk, and called on them to reflect on their conditions and contribution to the progress of the nation and humanity. "I hope women have not taken advantage of this week to get into excesses. I hope my message has been well followed by all, so that even if these excesses are not totally eliminated, they should at least be reduced", the Minister told CT.

The peculiarity of this clarion and motherly call certainly draws inspiration from past experiences. And as faith would have it, the indecent behaviours that have hitherto marked the event, spilled into 2010. To some women, and many of them indeed, women's day celebration tantamount to drinking and eating to stupor, visiting night clubs and other dancing spots and dancing till the following day. On women's day, some are seen parading the streets in their new fabric and exhibiting strange sexy behaviour. Some raise their "Kaba" and expose their bodies in the name of drunkenness. Women's day is fast becoming a day for the wearing of women's day uniform known in popular parlance as "Wrapper" or "Kaba". Those who do not wear this particular cloth appear dejected and sorrowful. On women's day women who wear the wrapper move together while those in their ordinary outfit flock together. Many would not say with exactitude the theme of the event. Some scold their husbands or boy friends and even threaten separation if the latter fail to provide them with uniform. That, in effect, is the other side of women's day which constitutes a disturbing derailment from the real issue.