New York / Meeting of the Organization of African First Ladies against AIDS

The African First Ladies gathered in the OAFLA (the Organization of African First Ladies against HIV / AIDS) have committed to fight without mercy against the AIDS pandemic. They have reiterated that commitment again during a high level meeting on the sidelines of the 71st session of the General Assembly of the United Nations in New York, Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2016. The theme of the meeting "the role of First Ladies in funding for sexual and reproductive health" has focused the attention of many international NGOs and the UN system structures, including UNAIDS.

 

During this meeting, the honor went to Mrs. Dominique Ouattara, First Lady of Côte d'Ivoire and Special UNAIDS Ambassador for the Elimination of Mother to Child transmission of HIV and for the promotion of pediatric treatment, to share her vision and the policy of Côte d'Ivoire in supporting sexual and reproductive health among adolescents. After denouncing the feminization of HIV / AIDS, Mrs. Dominique Ouattara, highlighted the importance of providing an integrated strategies approach to fight against this pandemic. Thus, for the Special Ambassador for UNAIDS school education, sexual and reproductive education and the financial empowerment of women are the appropriate components to effectively fight against the progress of HIV / AIDS.

 

"My Dear Sisters, to fight effectively against the vulnerability of our daughters, we must first of all give them formal education, associated with sexual and reproductive education that will enable them to acquire the essential basic knowledge for their social balance. Similarly, fair access to health care, involves the financial empowerment of women, who will thus be able to support themselves adequately", Mrs. Dominique Ouattara explained.