Queen mothers, rural and titled women from the North West Region were the centre of attraction at the May 20 Boulevard in Yaounde during the traditional march past marking the 40th edition of the International Women’s Day (IWD) on Saturday, March 8.
Clad in their colorful Women’s Day fabric weaved with a mixture of the North West traditional cloth, the women left a lasting impact on the public at the grandstand with their eye-catching march past.
First Lady, Chantal Biya who presided over the Women’s Day march past was in all cheers and smiles as the women displayed messages of peace, unity, national integration and living together.
NW elite stand by their women
Alongside the First Lady, it was a satisfied elite from the North West Region that watched on from the grand stand as their women marched past.
It seemed a mission accomplished for the elite and a reward for their efforts to see that their women come out as a shining example to the rest of the nation.
It is for this reason that in one voice the elite of the North West Region mobilized huge financial resources to ensure the women had an exceptional day. Close to 5,000 fabrics were bought by the elite of the North West Region to ensure the women are beautifully dressed on the day.
Efforts that did not go unnoticed by the women who took a moment to express gratitude to all the members of the North West elite who have been supporting them and putting hands on deck to ensure women in their region are emancipated.
They underlined that the members of the North West elite have been by their side not only in festive moments but equally in difficult times and thus deserve to be appreciated.
Huge reception
The apotheosis of the March 8 celebrations was a sumptuous reception offered the women at the CAMTEL Club in Yaounde.
In the presence of some traditional rulers from the North West Region who travelled all the way to witness the occasion, the North West women thrilled attendees with various songs and dance steps.
The eye-catching performance of the North West women did not leave their host Mafor Judith Yah Sunday epse Achidi indifferent.
The General Manager of Cameroon Telecommunications thanked the women for demonstrating their attachment to unity, national integration and living together cherished by the Head of State, President Paul Biya.
Despite her tight schedule, Mafor Yah Sunday took time out to commune with all the women and various dance groups.
“I want to thank you all for honouring this invitation to share with us today. As women and mothers of our beautiful region, you have shown today your attachment not only to the development of our region but for the prosperity of our country. I pray God to take you back to your various destinations safely and that you continue to work for peace and development in our region and country,” Mafor Yah Sunday told the women.
At the reception, she also paid homage to traditional rulers for their blessings which have given her the strength to forge in her endeavors.
It should be noted that she received North West Fons on March 7 at the CAMTEL headquarters in Yaounde. The custodians of the North West tradition said they came to encourage the CAMTEL General Manager and hail her for exceptional leadership qualities which have made her a reference point.
The International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The 2025 edition of the day was commemorated under the theme “For All Women and Girls: Rights, Equality, Empowerment,” a theme that calls for action that can unlock equal rights, power and opportunities for all and a feminist future where no one is left behind.
