By Ebi Kesiena
The Organisation of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD) is intensifying its continent-wide ‘#We Are Equal’ campaign to promote gender equity.
At the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, on Wednesday, OAFLAD launched the campaign with the hashtag #We Are Equal campaign.
During a pivotal summit, prominent figures such as Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, shared impactful insights from the campaign’s first year, emphasizing its potential to shape Africa’s future.
The First Lady while speaking on her initiatives under the Renewed Hope Initiative, focusing on Economic Empowerment, Social Investment, Agriculture, Health, and Education, noted that it aligns with her husband’s agenda. She also announced the establishment of the Young Farmers Club Nigeria, aimed at engaging youth in agriculture from an early age.
In response to Nigeria’s food security crisis, she revealed plans for the “Every Home a Garden” competition, set to award prizes in December 2024. Reflecting on her experiences as a teacher, Mrs. Tinubu spoke passionately about providing second chances for young girls facing challenges like early pregnancy, and showcased ongoing collaborations that are yielding positive outcomes in girl child education and health.
The summit also addressed pressing health concerns, such as the rise of Monkeypox. Leaders, including representatives from the World Health Organization and UNICEF, urged First Ladies to spearhead efforts against the disease.
The session also highlighted President Joe Biden’s commitment on behalf of the US to the course of eliminating the disease with the donation of 1 million units of Mpox vaccine to Africa and an additional $500m to fight the disease on the continent.
Meanwhile, OAFLAD recognized the achievements of the First Lady and four other First Ladies with awards for their impactful contributions to the #We Are Equal campaign. With 18 African nations already participating, the summit’s theme, “Amplifying Change Through Collaboration,” resonated as a call to action for ongoing progress.
