Organisation of African First Ladies against HIV/AIDS

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Organisation of African First Ladies against HIV/AIDS (OAFLA)
Founded2002; 20 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
Gertrude Maseko, President[2]
Jeannette Kagame, co-founder
Esther Lungu, Representative[3]
Sonia Ndimbira, Executive Director
Websitehttp://oafla.org/old/index.php/en/

The Organisation 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.[4]

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 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.

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.

Work and Campaigns[]

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

Member Countries[]

The member countries and leaders as of 2014 are listed below:[5]

  • The People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria
  • The Republic of Angola
  • The Republic of Benin
  • Burkina Faso
  • The Republic of Burundi
  • The Republic of Cape Verde
  • The Central African Republic
  • The
  • The Islamic Federal Republic of the Comoros
  • The Republic of the Congo
  • The Democratic Republic of Congo
  • The
  • The Arab Republic of Egypt
  • The Republic of Equatorial Guinea
  • The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
  • The Gabonese Republic
  • The Republic of The Gambia
  • The First Lady of Ghana
  • The Republic of Guinea
  • The Republic of Guinea Bissau
  • The First Lady of Kenya
  • The Kingdom of Lesotho
  • The
  • The Republic of Madagascar
  • The Republic of Malawi
  • The Republic of Mali
  • The Republic of Mauritius
  • The Republic of Mozambique
  • The First Lady of Namibia
  • The
  • The Federal Republic of Nigeria
  • The Republic of Rwanda
  • The Republic of Senegal
  • The Republic of Sierra Leone
  • The Republic of South Africa
  • The Republic of Somalia
  • The Republic of South Sudan
  • The
  • The Kingdom of Swaziland
  • The United Republic of Tanzania
  • The Republic of Tunisia
  • 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–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.[6]

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).

See also[]

Notes[]

  1. ^ Organisation of African First Ladies Against HIV/AIDS (OAFLA). "Vision".
  2. ^ Malawi Nyasatimes. "Madam Mutharika assumes presidency of African First Ladies against HIV/Aids".
  3. ^ Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation. "First Lady dates Kampala".
  4. ^ UNAIDS. "BREAKING THE SILOS: EMPOWERING ADOLESCENT GIRLS AND YOUNG WOMEN TO ACCESS INTEGRATED HEALTH-CARE SERVICES". UNAIDS.
  5. ^ Organisation of African First Ladies Against HIV/AIDS (OAFLA). "List of member countries".
  6. ^ 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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