To address the challenge of HIV/AIDS in Africa, 37 African First Ladies and representatives gathered in Geneva in 2002. This meeting was facilitated by UNAIDS and the International AIDS Trust (IAT). Based on this historic meeting, the Organization of African First Ladies against HIV/AIDS (OAFLA) was established.  The objective of OAFLA was to seek and reinforce policies and programs against HIV/AIDS through advocacy, resource mobilization and development of partnerships with all stakeholders at all levels. Within this framework, targeted campaigns on different thematic areas to address the impact of HIV/AIDS on women and children have been successfully conducted in many African countries.

On a regional level, OAFLA, members have represented the association and received acknowledgement for their work in putting the impact of HIV/AIDS on women and children into the forefront. OAFLA has also been engaged in creating partnerships, and developing strategic alliances with different stakeholders regionally and internationally. This has initiated a process for the mobilization of resources to carry out its activities. Also regionally and internationally, all OAFLA members have been advocates for mitigating the impact of the epidemic. To accelerate the work of OAFLA and create greater impact, we anticipate that the next four years will be an important time for collective action to fight against HIV/AIDS.

During the seven years since OAFLA was established, the African First Ladies have accomplished various goals in their countries as well as in their regions. The results of their efforts are increasingly visible, and are making a difference in the lives of children, women and the youth.

When OAFLA was established seven years ago, the capacity of such an organization was recognized as a powerful force that would add value to national, regional and sub-regional interventions. Secondly, the national campaigns, which have been taken on by individual countries, have raised issues of orphans through the “Treat Each Child as Your Own” campaign, as well as promoted a Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) campaign entitled “Save the Unborn Child”, which have been successful and visible. Additionally, because gender is recognized as a central aspect, of the First Ladies’ agenda, issues such as Gender Based Violence (GBV) have been at the forefront of their debates and partnerships to eliminate all forms of gender-based violence, including harmful traditional practices (HTPs).