Women Turn Out in Numbers for International Women’s Day Celebration in Bamenda

Report: Wirngo Peter Tardzenyuy 

The 41st edition of International Women’s Day was celebrated in Bamenda without major incident, as hundreds of women from different sectors gathered at the Commercial Avenue Grand Stand for the official ceremony.

Despite reports of a possible ghost town in parts of the city, women representing public administration, local councils, political parties, civil society groups and other professional sectors mobilized massively to mark the global event under the theme “Rights, Justice and Action for All Women and Girls.”

The ceremony was chaired by the Governor of the North West Region, Adolf Lele L’Afrique, who commended women for their strong turnout and their role in promoting peace and development in the region.

Speaking during the event, the Governor congratulated the organizing committee and the women who travelled from different communities across Bamenda to participate in the celebration.

Governor Lele L’Afrique also urged women to remain ambassadors of peace as they return to their respective communities, emphasizing that their involvement is crucial to restoring lasting stability in the region.

The ceremony featured speeches, the award of prizes to outstanding women and the traditional march past by women’s groups and organizations.

Political parties also used the opportunity to demonstrate support for women’s empowerment. Members of the National Democratic Party (NDP), a recently launched political party in the region, joined other groups in the march past.

Chairman of the party, Tanikwu Cornelius Ngang, said their participation was intended to encourage women and recognize their contribution to society.

He noted that his party considered it important to support women, whom he described as mothers, wives and key pillars of national development.

Meanwhile, the representative of women for the North West Region, Professor Fai Lilian, used the platform to highlight the challenges women continue to face, particularly in the context of the ongoing sociopolitical crisis affecting the region.

She noted that many women in the region have lost their homes, livelihoods and family members as a result of the crisis, while others continue to struggle daily to provide for their children under difficult circumstances.

Professor Fai Lilian also drew attention to issues such as interrupted education for girls, early marriages, gender-based violence and limited access to land ownership and leadership opportunities.

Despite these challenges, the celebration served as a moment of solidarity and resilience for women who gathered to reaffirm their commitment to peace, justice and development.

The ceremony ended with a colorful march past at the Commercial Avenue Grand Stand, symbolizing the determination of women across the North West Region to continue pushing for their rights and greater participation in nation building.

Women Turn Out in Numbers for International Women’s Day Celebration in Bamenda

The 41st edition of International Women’s Day was celebrated in Bamenda without major incident, as hundreds of women from different sectors gathered at the Commercial Avenue Grand Stand for the official ceremony.

Despite reports of a possible ghost town in parts of the city, women representing public administration, local councils, political parties, civil society groups and other professional sectors mobilized massively to mark the global event under the theme “Rights, Justice and Action for All Women and Girls.”

The ceremony was chaired by the Governor of the North West Region, Adolf Lele L’Afrique, who commended women for their strong turnout and their role in promoting peace and development in the region.

Speaking during the event, the Governor congratulated the organizing committee and the women who travelled from different communities across Bamenda to participate in the celebration.

Governor Lele L’Afrique also urged women to remain ambassadors of peace as they return to their respective communities, emphasizing that their involvement is crucial to restoring lasting stability in the region.

The ceremony featured speeches, the award of prizes to outstanding women and the traditional march past by women’s groups and organizations.

Political parties also used the opportunity to demonstrate support for women’s empowerment. Members of the National Democratic Party (NDP), a recently launched political party in the region, joined other groups in the march past.

Chairman of the party, Tanikwu Cornelius Ngang, said their participation was intended to encourage women and recognize their contribution to society.

He noted that his party considered it important to support women, whom he described as mothers, wives and key pillars of national development.

Meanwhile, the representative of women for the North West Region, Professor Fai Lilian, used the platform to highlight the challenges women continue to face, particularly in the context of the ongoing sociopolitical crisis affecting the region.

She noted that many women in the region have lost their homes, livelihoods and family members as a result of the crisis, while others continue to struggle daily to provide for their children under difficult circumstances.

Professor Fai Lilian also drew attention to issues such as interrupted education for girls, early marriages, gender-based violence and limited access to land ownership and leadership opportunities.

Despite these challenges, the celebration served as a moment of solidarity and resilience for women who gathered to reaffirm their commitment to peace, justice and development.

The ceremony ended with a colorful march past at the Commercial Avenue Grand Stand, symbolizing the determination of women across the North West Region to continue pushing for their rights and greater participation in nation building.