Organisation of African First Ladies against HIV/AIDS

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.

Organisation of African First Ladies against HIV/AIDS (OAFLA)
Founded2002 (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 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 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]

Steering Committee

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

Presidents of OAFLA
First Lady Tenure
Edith Lucie Bongo 2002-2004
Jeannette Kagame 2004-2006
Maureen Mwanawasa 2006-2008
Azeb Mesfin 2008-2010
Penehupifo Pohamba 2010-2012
Hinda Deby Itno 2012-2014
Lordina Mahama 2014-2016
Gertrude Maseko 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.
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