Jump to content

Organization of African First Ladies for Development

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Organization of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD)
Founded2002; 22 years ago (2002)
Founder37 African first ladies
TypeNot-for-profit, non-governmental organization
FocusHIV/AIDS, 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 nongovernmental, not-for-profit organization founded in 2002 by 37 African 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 First Ladies and other women leaders to advocate for effective solutions to respond to the ongoing 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

[edit]
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 Geneva at a meeting facilitated by 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

[edit]

The organisation and its members have taken on various causes including HIV/AIDS, PMTCT, maternal death, child mortality, women's empowerment, and youth empowerment.[citation needed]

Member Countries

[edit]

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

Steering Committee

[edit]

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

Presidents of OAFLA

[edit]
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

[edit]

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 First Lady of Ghana, Lordina Mahama was presented an award from 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

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  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.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Organization_of_African_First_Ladies_for_Development&oldid=1188825934"