Organization of African First Ladies for Development

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Organization of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD)
Founded2002; 22 years ago (2002)
Founder37 African
PMTCT, Maternal death, Child mortality, Women's empowerment, Youth empowerment
Location
Area served
Africa[1]
Members
40
Key people
Monica Geingos, President[2]
Denise Nyakéru Tshisekedi, Vice President
Websitehttps://oaflad.org/en/

The Organization of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD), originally formed as the Organization of African First Ladies against HIV/AIDS (OAFLA), is a

first ladies
.

The Organisation of African First Ladies against HIV/AIDS works to cultivate a spirit of solidarity and the exchange of experiences among African first ladies and increase the capacity of

HIV/AIDS epidemic, and acts against stigma and discrimination in the fight against HIV/AIDS, develops partnerships with international, regional and local donors, organizations, and partners, and raises awareness, develops, and supports prevention, treatment, and care programs.[3]

History

OAFLA High Level Event during the 72nd UNGA.
OAFLA High Level Event during the Seventy-second session of the United Nations General Assembly.

In 2002, thirty-seven African first ladies met in

UNAIDS and the International AIDS Trust (IAT). As a result of this meeting, the organization of African First Ladies against HIV/AIDS (OAFLA) was established as a collective voice for Africa’s most vulnerable people, women and children infected and affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic.[citation needed
]

Since then, OAFLA has transformed itself from a forum of ideas to an institution capable of providing the continent-wide leadership needed to bring about change in peoples’ lives. With its permanent secretariat in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, OAFLA has moved from addressing the symptoms of the HIV/AIDS crisis to the root causes of poverty and the overall inequality of women in the region.[citation needed]

Work and Campaigns

The organisation and its members have taken on various causes including

PMTCT, maternal death, child mortality, women's empowerment, and youth empowerment.[citation needed
]

Member Countries

The member countries and leaders as of 2023 are listed below:[4]

  • The
    Republic of Angola
  • The
    Republic of Benin
  • The
    Republic of Botswana
  • The Central African Republic
  • The
    Islamic Federal Republic of the Comoros
  • The Republic of the Congo
  • The Republic of Côte d’Ivoire
  • The
    Arab Republic of Egypt
  • The
    Republic of Equatorial Guinea
  • The
    Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
  • The
    Gabonese Republic
  • The First Lady of Ghana
  • The
    Republic of Guinea Bissau
  • The
    Republic of Liberia
  • The
    Republic of Madagascar
  • The
    Republic of Mozambique
  • The
    Federal Republic of Nigeria
  • The
    Republic of Senegal
  • The
    Republic of Sierra Leone
  • The
    Republic of South Sudan
  • The
    Republic of Uganda
  • The
    Republic of Zambia
  • The
    Republic of Zimbabwe

Steering Committee

The steering committee is composed of nine members representing the four regions within the continent.

Presidents of OAFLA

First Lady Country Tenure
Edith Lucie Bongo Gabon Gabon 2002-2004
Jeannette Kagame Rwanda Rwanda 2004-2006
Maureen Mwanawasa Zambia Zambia 2006-2008
Azeb Mesfin Ethiopia Ethiopia 2008-2010
Penehupifo Pohamba Namibia Namibia 2010-2012
Hinda Deby Itno
 Chad Chad 2012-2014
Lordina Mahama Ghana Ghana 2014-2016
Gertrude Maseko Malawi Malawi 2016–2017
Sika Bella Kaboré Burkina Faso Burkina Faso 2017–2019
Antoinette Sassou Nguesso Republic of the Congo Congo 2019–2022
Monica Geingos Namibia Namibia 2022–present

Recognition

In January 2007, Georgetown University awarded its fifth annual John Thompson Legacy of a Dream Award to the Organisation of African First Ladies Against HIV/AIDS for its leadership and service toward the ideals of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.[5]

In January 2017, the former

UNAIDS for her work during her term in office as the President of the Organisation of African First Ladies Against HIV/AIDS (OAFLA).[citation needed
]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Organisation of African First Ladies Against HIV/AIDS (OAFLA). "Vision".
  2. ^ OAFLAD. "First Lady of the Republic of Namibia".
  3. ^ UNAIDS. "BREAKING THE SILOS: EMPOWERING ADOLESCENT GIRLS AND YOUNG WOMEN TO ACCESS INTEGRATED HEALTH-CARE SERVICES". UNAIDS.
  4. ^ Organisation of African First Ladies Against HIV/AIDS (OAFLA). "List of member countries".
  5. ^ Georgetown University. "Georgetown University Honors Organization of African First Ladies Against HIV/AIDS with Legacy of a Dream Award". Georgetown University.

External links

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