The General Assembly meeting of the Organization of African First Ladies against HIV/AIDS that took place on Monday,  1st February 2010, has decided that the seat of the permanent secretariat is to be in Addis Ababa according to OAFLA President First Lady of Ethiopia W/o Azeb Mesfin.

The Assembly reached decisions on issues like the need for a permanent secretariat and its location, as well as some legal amendments to the Rules of Procedure and the OAFLA Constitution both of which will enable the Organization to function better. During the Assembly the President of OAFLA also announced that the organization has launched campaigns such as the PMTCT (Preventing Mother to Child Transmission) and the  care and support program for orphans to ensure that the next generation of children won’t have the virus. She further stated that OAFLA has taken the leadership role in creating a sense of responsibility and ownership in caring for orphans and vulnerable children.

The member First Ladies of Africa are playing a prominent role in helping to influence and formulate policies which will improve the lives of women,  as in the example of Zambia’s leadership in the Southern African Development Coordination Conference (SADCC) to promote the Maternity Protection Act and Ethiopia in the eradication of harmful traditional practices (HTP’s)  such as FGM.

 

When OAFLA was established in 2002, its vision was to create the leadership and support required to ensure that the needs of those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS were addressed. OAFLA , in working in partnership with a strong network of government agencies and donors,  has been able to provide this leadership and support. President of OAFLA , W/o Azeb  Mesfin underscored the need  for collective efforts and the need for mobilising more resources. Since 2002, the Organisation has worked with donors such as UNAIDS, UNICEF and PEPFAR amongst others and has expanded its activities to include issues such as Maternal mortality and the empowerment of women amongst others.  

US Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs, Ambassador Maria Otero who addressed the OAFLA General Assembly meeting, commended OAFLA and  the African First ladies on their work to fight this epidemic  and addressing other issues. She also conveyed a message of solidarity on behalf of US First Lady Michelle Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Ambassador Maria, further affirmed that the United States is committed to working closely with OAFLA and African governments to intensify a coordinated response to the global burden of HIV/AIDS. View full speech...

A further message of solidarity and encouragement was sent by Mrs. Sarah Brown, wife of British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who was unfortunately unable to attend the opening ceremony .

The OAFLA meeting  commenced on Saturday 30th January 2010 with the meeting of the Technical Advisors followed by the meeting of the Steering Committee on the 31st January 2010 and concluded on the 1st February 2010.