Rédaction Africa Links 24 with lexpress
Published on 2024-03-12 02:45:00
As all the women around the world, the women of Antsiranana did not miss the opportunity to celebrate March 8, International Women’s Day. This year, thousands of women responded to the call of the Platform of Women’s Associations of March 8.
This year, the city of Antsiranana hosted the regional celebration, with all five districts of the Diana region being represented. This date solemnly closed the week dedicated to carrying out various social activities included in this celebration.
It has always been proven that women are numerous, but they know how to show unity and love towards each other, even if they are divided by religion, ethnicity, politics, and the community that shaped them. As usual, the celebration started with a grand carnival, the highlight of the event.
In the morning, around 6:30, thousands of “carnival-goers” were already at the Place Foch, in front of the town hall, where the usual carnival parade began. In addition to the banner announcing each organization and service, they were all dressed in their respective ceremonial attire and any means that allowed them to be distinguished, but the majority had been uniformed by the traditional attire “salovana sy kisaly” (pareo).
During the procession, the perimeter was cordoned off. Access to vehicles was prohibited on the main streets, carnival routes… A situation that irritated male motorists. Meanwhile, the military brass band on foot provided entertainment, heading towards Independence Square where people eagerly awaited its passage.
The procession lasted more than three hours, starting from the Town Hall and traversing the streets of the city before reaching Independence Square, where the official tribune and the political-administrative personalities of the region, men and women, were located, notably led by the vice-president of the National Assembly and president of the platform March 8 in office, as well as the wife of Governor Anatonia Randrianjafy. During their interventions, they all elaborated on the theme of the celebration, which is “Viavy miarina, miray hina fampandrosoana ny firenena.”
Special mention to the first elected deputy in Antsiranana, Voavy Rasoa Pauline, aged 81, who was present at the celebration. On the itinerary, for hours, the parade had already started with choreographies even more magnificent than the others. It was a real challenge for each association to stand out from the others.
The show was there with some troupes dancing to the rhythm of the accompanying group, especially that of “salegy.” Shortly before 11 am, a downpour hit the Ritz Place. Despite the heavy rain, demonstrators continued to parade, most of whom had nowhere to take shelter. The women’s association of the urban commune was conspicuous by its absence for the first time. The members also did not participate in the various sociocultural activities organized by the platform. They chose to clean the front of the town hall and hold a debate in the large hall of the town hall on the D-day.
The Antesaka ethnic association, the Diego Miray organization, and the families of the TGV party and the Antsiranana-II district stood out for the number of participants and the quality of their outfits. A hint from politicians aspiring to legislative or municipal elections was felt.
“Since March 8 is celebrated every year, this means that the struggle continues because there are still demands to be made. Let us be united and consistent,” emphasized Jocelyne Rahelihanta. The latter turned to men, announcing that they cannot do anything without women, so it is time to unite forces.
[Raheriniaina]
Read the original article(French) on lexpress.mg
