Dear friends,
This is to inform you that I had a meeting with Ms. Sonia Ndimbira, Executive Secretary of the Organization of African First Ladies Against HIV/AIDS (OAFLA) and express to her URI-Africa’s interest in working in partnership with OAFLA to improve the health and well-being of women, adolescents, and children of Africa through the ongoing Campaigns to Accelerate Reduction of Maternal Mortality, to Eliminate Mother to Child Transmission of HIV and AIDS, to End Pediatric AIDS, Polio and Child Marriage and promoting adolescents sexual and reproductive health and rights in Africa
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 historic 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.
The vision of OAFLA is an Africa free from HIV, AIDS, maternal and child mortality, where women and children are empowered to enjoy equal opportunities.
The mission of the First Ladies of Africa is to advocate for effective policies and strategies towards the elimination of HIV and AIDS, reduction of maternal and child mortality and the empowerment of women and children, through strategic partnerships in the spirit of solidarity.
URI-Africa highly appreciates OAFLA's continued support to achieve the aim of Sustainable Development Goas (SDGs) with specific emphasis on Goals related to good health, education and women’s equality and their effort in promoting the need of effective polices and strategies geared towards creating an Africa free of HIV and AIDS, with reduced rates of maternal and child mortality; an Africa where women and children are empowered to enjoy equal rights and privileges.
May Peace Prevail on Earth
Mussie Hailu
Regional director of URI-Africa
Rep of URI to AUC and UN Office in Africa
