1.
GV Women march past in groups
0.13

2.
Women with placards (3 shots)
0.42

3.
SV Band TILT UP TO women marching
0.54

4.
GVs March (4 shots)
1.15

5.
GTV Women PAN UP TO grounds of Party headquarters
1.25

6.
SV Placards and women dancing (3 shots)
1.36

7.
SV & CU Madame Meatchi speaking (3 shots)
1.44

8.
GV PAN Women listening.
1.54



Initials BB/1300 DF/PW/BB/1330



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: Thousands of women marched through the streets of Lome on July 31 to mark African Women's Day.

The parade was organised by the National Union of Togolese Women (UNFT) to stress the unity of the women of Togo.

The marchers converged on the headquarters of the Togo People's Assembly (RPT) -- the only political party in Togo -- to hear speeches from party leaders.

The vice-president of UNFT, Madame Josephine Meatchi, called on the assembled women to make sacrifices for the good of their country.

SYNOPSIS: Women from throughout Togo converged on the capital, Lome, last week to parade through the streets in celebration of African Women's Day.

They gathered in Liberation Square and formed into groups for the march through the capital. (PAUSE) The parade was organised by the National Union of Togolese Women to show their unity and support for the one-party stats of Togo. Placards carried by the women read 'Long life to President Eyadema' and 'Rally round Eyadema'.

To music from the bands of the Togo Armed Forces, the women marched along Lome's Avenue of Liberation.

Their destination was the headquarters of the Togo People's Assembly--the only political party in Togo. Commentators said the parade by the women showed the political unity and vigour of the party. It was formed in 1967 when President Etionne Eyadema, then commander of the Togo Army, assumed control of the government.

The women converged on the party headquarters and assembled in the grounds of the building to hear speeches by party leaders.

Some women held placards and other danced as the vice president of the National Union of Togolese Women, Madame Josephine Meatohi, called on them to make sacrifices for the good of the country.

Madame Meatchi congratulated the women for the order, discipline and enthusiasm they had shown in celebrating African Women's Day.