Highlights: Madagascar: a celebration and few demands for women's rights day in Tamatave. March 8, declared a public holiday for all. An event intended to be grandiose, popular and entirely dedicated to celebrating Malagasy women. But some activists reject the festive nature of this day altogether. In the evening, far from the official festivities, many women and young girls continued to celebrate March 8 as they saw fit by taking over the city's party venues en masse. The festival is precisely an opportunity to celebrate the courage of those who overcome daily difficulties.

This year, it is in Tamatave, the coastal town in eastern Madagascar, that the authorities have chosen to organize March 8, declared a public holiday for all. An event intended to be grandiose, popular and entirely…

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Madagascar: a celebration and few demands for women's rights day in Tamatave

This year, it is in Tamatave, the coastal town in eastern Madagascar, that the authorities have chosen to organize March 8, declared a public holiday for all.

An event intended to be grandiose, popular and entirely dedicated to celebrating Malagasy women, their customs and their place in society.

But some activists reject the festive nature of this day altogether.

Listen - 01:36

March 8 was celebrated in Tamatave, the second largest city in Madagascar, where the festivities were orchestrated by First Lady Mialy Rajoelina, accompanied by her husband President Andry Rajoelina and several members of the government.

By: RFI Follow

With our correspondent in Madagascar,

Pauline Le Troquier

A general euphoria quickly invades the streets of Tamatave, where thousands of women parade to the colors and sounds of their regions of origin.

And like Linda, we promise ourselves an exceptional day.

“

Today is my day, I am free and it is the men who take care of the children.
We drink, we dance, we share our lives with women, that's the atmosphere.

In the crowd, the feminist slogans of a group of teenage girls resonate.

They call for people to react and make this day something other than a celebration.

This March 8

, Cathia, 17, would have liked it to be more sober and combative.

But looking around her, she knows she is in the minority.

“

Look at all the ladies there.
There is not a single billboard to defend our rights or our causes.
There are not any !
That's why we come with signs and fairly direct sentences, especially to shock the president and the first lady.

For Haingo Elisette Fomendraja, Malagasy Minister of Population and Solidarity, this festival, one of the biggest national events on the island, is precisely an opportunity to celebrate the courage of those who overcome daily difficulties.

“

We have to show joy, that we are alive.
And even if we go through a lot of challenges throughout our lives, we must show solidarity and show the world that women are strong women in Madagascar.

In the evening, far from the official festivities, many women and young girls continued to celebrate March 8 as they saw fit by taking over the city's party venues en masse.

Read alsoDRC: in Bukavu, demonstration of women in the face of the security situation in the east of the country

Madagascar: a celebration and few demands for women's rights day in Tamatave

Madagascar: a celebration and few demands for women's rights day in Tamatave

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