The Organisation of African First Ladies Against HIV/AIDS (OAFLA) recently met in New York to discuss how they can scale-up their efforts towards ending the AIDS epidemic in Africa.
The First Ladies met at the Ford Foundation in New York on the sidelines of the 69th session of the United Nations General Assembly where they deliberated on effective solutions to maintain high-level commitment to ending the AIDS epidemic.
The First Ladies highlighted the need to scale-up comprehensive maternal and new-born health services which integrate HIV testing for pregnant women and provide access to antiretroviral medicines during pregnancy, delivery and which extend through the breastfeeding period.
OAFLA has recently launched a new strategic plan which highlights the urgent need to integrate HIV services into existing sexual and reproductive health services. The First Ladies agreed that targets related to stopping new HIV infections among children cannot be met if the wider context of preventing new HIV infections among women and girls is not addressed.
OAFLA was originally established in 2002 as a collective voice to support people living with and affected by HIV. Over the last 12 years, the first ladies have engaged in awareness raising campaigns and advocacy initiatives in their respective countries.
“We should intensify our collaboration with UNAIDS at the global, regional and country level to mobilize our communities to end the AIDS epidemic on our continent.”
Her Excellency Hinda Déby, First Lady of Chad and President of OAFLA
“We have been working with UNAIDS for over a decade, our partnership is really maturing and taking shape. Our immediate focus should be about the 19 million people who do not know their HIV status. All successes we have achieved will be reversed if we do not address this issue.”
Her Excellency Jennette Kagame First lady of Rwanda
"Women across the continent still do not have the power to make personal decisions that many of us take for granted. We have to make sure that they are able to decide when to have children and the right to determine their futures. I certainly don’t want my daughter to have the same life as my grandmother when it comes to the empowerment of women."
Tewodros Melesse, Director General, International Planned Parenthood Federation
“UNAIDS launched the 90-90-90 campaign to support country efforts in ending the AIDS epidemic as a public health threat by 2030. To reach this goal, we have to continue our strategic alliance with OAFLA and make sure that all people, particularly women know their HIV status and are able to protect themselves and their families.”
Michel Sidibé, UNAIDS Executive Director
