For Immediate Release<\/strong> On September 23, 2025<\/strong>, the Organization of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD)<\/strong> officially launched its 2025\u20132027 campaign<\/strong> \u201cBuilding Resilience for Women and Girls in the Face of Climate Change and Conflict\u201d<\/em>, during a high-level side event at the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA80)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The event took place at the Ford Foundation Center for Social Justice<\/strong> in New York, bringing together 8 African First Ladies<\/strong>, international leaders, and development partners to mobilize around urgent solutions for women and girls in Africa.<\/p>\n In her opening remarks, H.E. Mrs. Fatima Maada Bio<\/strong>, First Lady of Sierra Leone and President of OAFLAD, highlighted the disproportionate risks<\/strong> borne by women and girls in climate-vulnerable and conflict-affected regions\u2014ranging from food insecurity and unpaid care burdens to gender-based violence and health complications.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n She called for collective action<\/strong> to ensure women\u2019s uninterrupted access to health, education, and protection services, while championing their leadership in peacebuilding and climate resilience<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n First Ladies from Sierra Leone, Angola, Kenya, Liberia, Mozambique, Ghana, and Gabon<\/strong> made concrete commitments<\/strong> to:<\/p>\n Health, education, and empowerment<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Equity and opportunity creation<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Climate justice<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n placing women and girls at the center of Africa\u2019s response<\/strong> to today\u2019s multiple crises.<\/p>\n Building on the legacy of OAFLAD\u2019s #WeAreEqual campaign<\/strong>, the new campaign sets ambitious goals to:<\/p>\n Protect essential services for women and girls<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Integrate gender into climate strategies<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Empower women through economic opportunities<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Strengthen advocacy for peace, health, and resilience across Africa<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n A keynote by Prof. Senait Fisseha<\/strong> (Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n A dynamic panel featuring global champions including:<\/p>\n Monica Geingos<\/strong> (former First Lady of Namibia)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Amb. Liberata Mulamula<\/strong> (AU Special Envoy)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Dr. Maliha Khan<\/strong> (President, Women Deliver)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n All reaffirmed the urgency of coordinated solutions<\/strong> and the importance of intergenerational leadership<\/strong>.<\/p>\n OAFLAD stressed that resilience cannot be achieved alone<\/strong>. This campaign is a movement<\/strong> requiring strong and transparent partnerships across:<\/p>\n Governments<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Civil society<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Private sector<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Academia<\/p>\n<\/li>\n International organizations<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Together, these alliances will translate shared commitments into measurable results<\/strong> that uplift women and girls as leaders of Africa\u2019s future<\/strong>.<\/p>\n In her closing statement, H.E. Ana Dias Louren\u00e7o<\/strong>, First Lady of Angola and Vice President of OAFLAD, affirmed:<\/p>\n \u201cThis campaign is more than an initiative\u2014it is a movement. Through empowerment, inclusion, accountability, and transparent partnerships, we will build a prosperous Africa that honors and uplifts every woman and girl.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Addis Ababa, September 29, 2025<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nOAFLAD Launched New Campaign:<\/h2>\n
Building Resilience for Women and Girls in the Face of Climate Change and Conflict<\/em><\/h3>\n
\nKey Highlights<\/h2>\n
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\nCampaign Ambitions<\/h2>\n
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\nVoices from the Event<\/h2>\n
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\nA Call for Partnership<\/h2>\n
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\nClosing Remarks<\/h2>\n
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\nMedia Contact<\/h2>\n