African First Ladies have begun arriving in Accra for a high-level side event at the 23rd International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA).
Among them are H.E. Dr. Fatima Maada Bio, First Lady of Sierra Leone and President of the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development, and H.E. Fatoumatta Bah Barrow, First Lady of The Gambia.
The meeting, being hosted on Thursday by Ghana’s First Lady, H.E. Lordina Dramani Mahama, is centered on one critical goal: ending mother-to-child transmission and achieving the triple elimination of HIV, Syphilis and Hepatitis B across the continent.
According to a government communication from the Jubilee House, the session will spotlight the power of women in leadership roles and how their voices and influence can accelerate the fight against stigma, abuse and discrimination faced by vulnerable groups, especially women and children. It will also push for stronger continental action to safeguard the rights and dignity of affected persons.
For over a decade, Mrs. Mahama and the Lordina Foundation have earned international respect for unwavering advocacy in health and humanitarian outreach. In 2013, she became Ghana’s Health Ambassador for the Heart-to-Heart HIV campaign, amplifying national support for persons living with HIV. In February 2016, as President of the Organisation of African First Ladies against HIV/AIDS (OAFLA), she delivered a powerful call for urgent action on HIV and sexual and reproductive health at the 7th Africa Conference on Sexual Health and Rights in Accra.
Joining the Accra engagement are the First Ladies of Kenya and Liberia along with former First Lady of South Africa — a strong assembly of voices united in driving Africa toward an HIV-free future.
Source: kumasimail.com
