Outbursts as disturbing videos of women’s day celebration go viral.

The women, like in previous years, joined their peers worldwide to commemorate the 41st edition of the International Women’s Day under the theme: “Rights. Justice. Action. For all women and girls”.

There were several activities carried out by ministries, government institutions, parastatals, private companies, schools and others during the week leading to the celebration of women's day. 

It culminated on Sunday March 8, 2026, with a colorful march past ceremony at the 20th May Boulevard in Yaounde. According to reports, over 33,000 women in Yaounde took part in the march past which was presided over by First Lady, Chantal Biya. 

While the march past was a true reflection of their push towards rights and justice, the activities of some women during separate receptions and outings later in the day, experts say, and rightly so, made mockery of the purpose of the celebration. 

Yesterday, viral videos emerged on various social media platforms and especially WhatsApp groups which showed women engaging in behaviors that have been described as inappropriate. 

In separate videos that The Guardian Post has reviewed, provocative dancing was very common in most of these videos. It showed some women performing dance moves with some twerking on the floor and others grinding on men.

In another video, one woman was seen being carried away by a man on his shoulders after what seemed like she had drunk more than she could handle. 

Others were seen leaving leisure venues early yesterday morning, while another scene showed a man pulling a partially undressed woman away as onlookers recorded. Several people have been reacting to the disturbing videos. 

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, one wrote: “if you ask any woman present in these videos what the theme of this day is, none of them will tell you. It is more about being on social media and showing off”. 

Another wrote on X: “International Women’s Day was meant to celebrate progress, strength and the empowerment of women. Unfortunately, in some places, it’s been reduced to an occasion of drinking and fighting. I doubt many even know the theme for this year”. 

Someone who identified himself as Ferre Mope wrote: “Very sad. Women who do not know the origin of this day, the challenges and worse the theme of this edition”. 

Others pointed to massive sensitization to combat this phenomenon and ensure that the next editions are properly celebrated by women. 

At the time of writing this report, some leisure spots still showed signs of celebration with leftover drinks, women’s day fabric tissues, discarded shoes, and other accessories scattered around. 

The celebratory atmosphere is a stark contrast to that prescribed by authorities, who encouraged women to avoid the ‘soulever les kaba’ syndrome, where they lift their dress and instead celebrate responsibly, focusing on the day’s theme to drive meaningful societal impact. 

The president of the Association of Bayam-Sellam, ASBY, is quoted to have told the state media, Cameroon Radio Television, CRTV National Station that women found in such compromising situations should be arrested by forces of law and order and put in jail and released after the celebration. 

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3727 of Tuesday March 10, 2026