As International Women's Day approaches, Cathy Meba, Vice-President of the South Regional Council and niece of Cameroonian President Paul Biya, has made an unexpected call to abolish the fabric traditionally associated with this celebration. This stance has quickly sparked a passionate debate within Cameroonian society.
Meba, daughter of the Head of State's younger brother, expressed concerns about the economic dimension of this tradition. According to her, the 8th of March fabric, once a symbol of unity and celebration for women, has become a source of inequality and frustration. She denounces a situation where it has become "impossible to obtain the fabric at an affordable price from official distributors," pointing the finger at resellers who offer prices as high as 15,000 FCFA, a sum difficult for rural women or those with modest incomes to afford.
"The 8th of March fabric is a real torture," Meba said, calling the situation an "organized mafia". She is particularly concerned about the plight of women living in rural areas and those with low incomes, wondering how they could afford to acquire this fabric, which has become an inaccessible luxury.
Faced with this situation, Cathy Meba suggests a radical action: "I propose that women for next year refuse to wear the fabric if it is not available and at a good price for all". This proposal has divided opinion, with some praising a necessary challenge to the commercial excesses surrounding the event, while others defend maintaining this unifying symbol.
Beyond the controversy, this stance highlights a broader issue: how to preserve the symbolic value of a tradition without turning it into a luxury product reserved for a minority. The question of the accessibility of the 8th of March fabric and its real significance in the current economic context remains. Meanwhile, the 2026 edition's fabric, called "Floraison", has been unveiled, carrying a message of hope and unity.
