adminTendai Rupapa in Niamey, Niger
First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa arrived here yesterday for the 23rd Organisation of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD) General Assembly Meeting which is running from July 4 to 8.
The meeting is running concurrently with the African Union (AU) Extraordinary Summit here. OAFLAD is an advocacy organisation where African First Ladies seek to advocate for policies that make health services accessible and laws that boost women and youth empowerment.
President Mnangagwa is also expected to attend the AU summit.
The First Lady was welcomed at the Aeroport International Diori-Hamani De Niamey by Niger Deputy Minister for African Integration and Nigeriens Abroad, Mrs Ousseini Lamido Salamatou Balla Goga and Zimbabwean officials.
The meeting is running under the theme; “Collaborating to Transform Africa: Addressing the Needs of Vulnerable Populations.”
Initially, the First Ladies organisation was called Organisation of African First Ladies against HIV/AIDS (OAFLA) with the objective to be a united voice for Africa’s most vulnerable groups living with and affected by HIV and AIDS.
It then rebranded to OAFLAD expanding its scope of work to incorporate a broader range of development issues affecting the continent.
These include a continued focus on reduction of new HIV infections and AIDS-related mortality, non-communicable diseases, gender equality, women’s and youth empowerment, maternal and Child health among other issues.
OAFLAD’s main vision is to have a developed Africa with a healthy and empowered children, youth and women.
Online Reporter