On March 3, 2026, the town of Akongo Labelle, located in the Nyong-et-So'o department, Centre region, was the scene of the official launch of activities marking the 41st edition of International Women's Day.
The Mayoress of Ngomedzap, Bleue Régine Tsoungui épouse Obama, wanted to honor the women of her municipality by going to Akongo Labelle, an enclave village 40 kilometers from Ngomedzap. She expressed her consideration for the women of this locality by launching the festivities of March 8, 2026 there. This initiative aimed to counter the excessive focus on loincloths and festivities, by offering workshops and educational discussions to the women of Akongo Labelle.
Marie Lucie Fouda Ndi, president of women's networks and associations, presented the activities organized, including training workshops on smoking fish, chicken and pork, household waste management, manufacturing agricultural inputs and the maintenance of latrines. Educational talks were also organized on themes such as women's rights, reproductive health, financial autonomy, vaccination, infant health, personal hygiene and the Acceleration Program for Digital Transformation in Cameroon (PATNUC).
Ms. Fouda Ndi strongly denounced violence against women, in particular the exploitation of young girls, and pleaded for better consideration of women in the development of society. She also called for the creation of a weekly market in Akongo Labelle to facilitate the sale of local agricultural products. She thanked the Mayoress of Ngomedzap for offering the March 8 loincloth to the women of Akongo Labelle and for having supervised them through these training workshops.
Mayoress Bleue Régine Tsoungui encouraged families not to stigmatize pregnant young girls, but to support them so that they can return to school. She underlined the importance of this initiative for the women of Akongo Labelle, a locality far from the capital. She also mentioned that the official launch of the March 8 activities is organized each year in a different locality of the sub-prefecture, and that Akongo Labelle was chosen this year.
The representative of the sub-prefect of Ngomedzap called for an end to violence against women and sent a message to men, encouraging them to value women. The ceremony was enlivened by sketches, artistic interpretations, a parade of beauty queens and a general parade of women. An agricultural fair also showcased the know-how of women in the region.
The meeting was scheduled for March 8, 2026 in Ngomedzap for the main celebration of International Women's Day.
