| Organization of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD) | |
| Type: | Not-for-profit, non-governmental organization |
| Founder: | 37 African first ladies |
| Location: | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia |
| Key People: | Monica Geingos, President[1] Denise Nyakéru Tshisekedi, Vice President |
| Area Served: | Africa[2] |
| Focus: | HIV/AIDS, PMTCT, Maternal death, Child mortality, Women's empowerment, Youth empowerment |
| Num Members: | 40 |
| Homepage: | https://oaflad.org/en/ |
The Organization of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD), originally formed as the Organization of African First Ladies against HIV/AIDS (OAFLA), is a nongovernmental, not-for-profit organization founded in 2002 by 37 African first ladies.
The Organisation of African First Ladies against HIV/AIDS works to cultivate a spirit of solidarity and the exchange of experiences among African first ladies and increase the capacity of First Ladies and other women leaders to advocate for effective solutions to respond to the ongoing HIV/AIDS epidemic, and acts against stigma and discrimination in the fight against HIV/AIDS, develops partnerships with international, regional and local donors, organizations, and partners, and raises awareness, develops, and supports prevention, treatment, and care programs.[3]
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 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 organisation and its members have taken on various causes including HIV/AIDS, PMTCT, maternal death, child mortality, women's empowerment, and youth empowerment.
The member countries and leaders as of 2023 are listed below:[4]
The steering committee is composed of nine members representing the four regions within the continent.
| First Lady | Country | width=25% | Tenure | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edith Lucie Bongo | Gabon | 2002-2004 | ||
| Jeannette Kagame | Rwanda | 2004-2006 | ||
| Maureen Mwanawasa | Zambia | 2006-2008 | ||
| Azeb Mesfin | Ethiopia | 2008-2010 | ||
| Penehupifo Pohamba | Namibia | 2010-2012 | ||
| Hinda Deby Itno | Chad | 2012-2014 | ||
| Lordina Mahama | Ghana | 2014-2016 | ||
| Gertrude Maseko | Malawi | 2016–2017 | ||
| Sika Bella Kaboré | Burkina Faso | 2017–2019 | ||
| Antoinette Sassou Nguesso | Congo | 2019–2022 | ||
| Monica Geingos | Namibia | 2022–present | ||
In January 2007, Georgetown University awarded its fifth annual John Thompson Legacy of a Dream Award to the Organisation of African First Ladies Against HIV/AIDS for its leadership and service toward the ideals of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.[5]
In January 2017, the former First Lady of Ghana, Lordina Mahama was presented an award from UNAIDS for her work during her term in office as the President of the Organisation of African First Ladies Against HIV/AIDS (OAFLA).