
Official Account of the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development. 2025-27 : PR 🇸🇱/VP 🇦🇴| #Newsletter ✉️⤵️ https://xitter.cf/t.co/bYRQMSBQok #OAFLAD
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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This October, OAFLAD turns pink. 🎀
Across Africa, First Ladies stand united with one voice and one purpose: to raise awareness, encourage early detection, support women and families affected by breast cancer, and strengthen the collective fight against a disease that continues to claim far too many lives.
Pink is more than a colour this month. It is a symbol of courage, solidarity, hope and action.
Together, we can break the silence, promote screening, expand access to care and remind every woman that early detection can save lives.
This October, Africa’s First Ladies stand together against breast cancer. 💗
#OAFLAD #OctoberPink #PinkOctober #BreastCancerAwareness #BreastCancerAwarenessMonth #EarlyDetectionSavesLives #WomensHealth #AfricaUnited
Earlier this week, we held our 3rd Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Working Group meeting, bringing together Technical Advisors to the First Ladies of Angola 🇦🇴, Botswana 🇧🇼, Ghana 🇬🇭, Sierra Leone 🇸🇱 and Zambia 🇿🇲, alongside representatives from our partners, including Abbott, UNICEF, UNFPA, Gavi, the Global Platform for Action to End FGM and Anusha/Team.
The meeting opened with remarks from the Office of the OAFLAD President, followed by a presentation from our Executive Secretary, Dr. Nardos Berhanu, who highlighted progress made in advancing our GBV-related priorities and outlined key areas for continued collaboration.
Discussions focused on reviewing our collective achievements and coordinating preparations for the upcoming 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (25 November – 10 December 2026).
Together with our Member States and partners, we explored opportunities to strengthen advocacy, amplify the voices of African First Ladies, promote access to justice and survivor-centred support, and translate our shared commitments into meaningful action.
As we prepare for this important campaign, we remain committed to fostering stronger partnerships and coordinated efforts towards a future free from violence for women and girls across Africa.
#OAFLAD #OPDAD #EndGBV #16DaysOfActivism
IN LOVING MEMORY OF H.E. MADAM PENEHUPIFO POHAMBA (1948–2026) 🕊️
The Organization of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD) mourns with profound sadness the passing of H.E. Madam Penehupifo Pohamba, former First Lady of the Republic of Namibia and former President of OAFLAD.
A visionary leader and dedicated advocate for the well-being of women and children, H.E. Madam Pohamba played a pivotal role in strengthening our organization. During her presidency, she spearheaded the establishment of the OAFLAD Secretariat, laying an institutional foundation that continues to support our collective mission and impact across Africa.
Her leadership, commitment and invaluable contributions will forever remain part of OAFLAD’s history and legacy.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to her family, the people of Namibia, and all those whose lives she touched.
May her soul rest in eternal peace. 🕊️
🇸🇳 Senegal becomes the 7th country to launch the #BuildingResilience campaign!
Today, 14 October 2026, Dakar hosts the official launch ceremony, marking another milestone in our collective commitment to advancing the health and well-being of women and girls across Africa.
Joining the host, H.E. Mrs @MarieKhoneFaye , First Lady of Senegal, the ceremony’s programme features six African First Ladies:
🇸🇱 H.E. Dr. Fatima Maada Bio @Ladyfatimabio – Sierra Leone, President of OAFLAD
🇧🇮 H.E. Mrs. Angeline Ndayishimiye @OPDD_Burundi – Burundi
🇨🇻 H.E. Mrs. Débora Katisa Carvalho – Cabo Verde
🇬🇦 H.E. Mrs. Zita Oligui Nguema @ZitaOligui – Gabon
🇬🇲 H.E. Mrs. Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow – The Gambia
🇨🇫 H.E. Mrs. Brigitte Touadéra – Central African Republic
Their participation reflects a shared commitment to building a healthier and more resilient Africa.
✨ Stay tuned! We will be sharing the key moments of this memorable day with you!
#HerJourneyHerHealth #BuildingResilience #OAFLAD #Senegal
Today’s ceremony, held in the presence of H.E. President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, brought together African First Ladies from Sierra Leone 🇸🇱 , Burundi 🇧🇮 , Cabo Verde🇨🇻, Gabon 🇬🇦 , The Gambia 🇬🇲 and the Central African Republic 🇨🇫 , alongside their host, H.E. Mrs. @MarieKhoneFaye , First Lady of Senegal.
The programme featured inspiring addresses from the First Ladies, remarks by OAFLAD Executive Secretary Dr. Nardos Berhanu, and testimonials highlighting initiatives supporting women and girls in Senegal.
Beyond the official ceremony, the day’s programme also includes a showcase of local craftsmanship through the “Made in Senegal” exhibition, followed by a visit to the historic Gorée Island, highlighting Senegal’s rich cultural heritage and women’s empowerment initiatives.
✨ A day celebrating African leadership, shared experiences and stronger partnerships for a healthier, more resilient Africa!
#HerJourneyHerHealth #BuildingResilience #OAFLAD #Senegal
As part of the activities surrounding the #BuildingResilience campaign launch in Dakar, African First Ladies visited the historic Gorée Island, a powerful symbol of remembrance, freedom and human dignity.
From the House of Slaves to the prestigious Mariama Bâ School of Excellence, the visit connected Africa’s shared history with its responsibility to future generations. Meeting young girls pursuing academic excellence was a powerful reminder that education remains essential to empowering girls to shape their own futures.
The programme continued on 15 October 2026 with the 7th edition of Salon Afrique Unie, for which H.E. Mrs @MarieKhoneFaye, First Lady of Senegal, served as patron. The event highlighted education, training and opportunities for African youth.
✨ These meaningful moments reflect our shared commitment to preserving Africa’s heritage, investing in the next generation and strengthening partnerships that advance the resilience and empowerment of women and girls across the continent.
#HerJourneyHerHealth #BuildingResilience #OAFLAD #Senegal
Replying to @UNESCO_Dakar
A cette occasion, le Dir.Rég. @dimsanga a remis officiellement à Mme @MarieKhoneFaye, Première Dame du #Sénégal, le rapport de @UNESCO_Dakar "Investir dans les #FemmesEnScience : Étude de l’impact économique des financements publics en #Afrique".
OAFLAD 🌍 retweeted
Replying to @UNESCO_Dakar @dimsanga @MarieKhoneFaye @OnuSenegal @AFRIQUEUNIE @UNESCO_fr @LidiaArthurBri1 @ViePubliqueSN @OAFLAD
Dans la continuité des activités en marge du lancement de la campagne Building Resilience, mes sœurs Premières Dames et moi avons visité l’île de Gorée, patrimoine de notre pays et symbole de mémoire pour l’Afrique et les communautés noires du monde entier.
Ce fut un moment de communion pour réaffirmer notre attachement à la liberté et à la dignité humaine.
De la Maison des Esclaves au Lycée d’excellence Mariama Bâ, cette journée a relié le devoir de mémoire à notre responsabilité envers les générations futures.
La rencontre avec ces jeunes filles, symboles d’excellence scolaire, illustre l’importance de l’éducation pour leur permettre de choisir leur avenir et de réaliser leurs ambitions.
Une étape profondément symbolique, en écho à notre engagement commun pour la résilience des femmes et des filles.
#BuildingResilience #OPDAD #LeadershipFeminin
Dakar has once again shown the world the true meaning of African solidarity and leadership. Today, under the gracious hosting of my dear sister, Her Excellency Mrs. Marie Khone Faye, First Lady of Senegal, we successfully launched the national “Building Resilience” campaign — strengthening the resilience of women and girls in the face of climate change and conflict.
I am deeply grateful to Her Excellency Marie Khone Faye for her warm hospitality, her powerful advocacy, and the exemplary leadership she has shown in making Senegal the seventh country to officially join this continental movement. Her clear message that “Africa will build nothing sustainable without women and girls” resonated strongly with all of us and perfectly reflects the spirit of OAFLAD.
We were especially honoured by the presence and strong support of His Excellency President Bassirou Diomaye Faye. His personal engagement and the full backing of the Government of Senegal send a powerful signal that the issues affecting women and girls are national priorities. The presence of sister First Ladies from across the continent further demonstrated our shared determination to turn commitment into concrete action.
The launch in Dakar was a resounding success. It strengthened our collective resolve, deepened partnerships, and reaffirmed that when African First Ladies stand together, we can drive meaningful change for the health, education, safety, and economic empowerment of women and girls.
On behalf of OAFLAD, I thank the people and leadership of Senegal for their exceptional hospitality and partnership. Together, we are building a more resilient Africa — one in which every woman and girl can thrive.
Dr. Fatima Maada Bio
President, Organisation of African First Ladies for Development
First Lady of the Republic of Sierra Leone
Ce matin, à Dakar, j’ai eu le bonheur de retrouver mes sœurs Premières Dames d’Afrique pour le lancement officiel de la campagne Building Resilience au Sénégal, en présence de son Excellence M. Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar FAYE, Président de la République du Sénégal,
Leur présence à mes côtés confère une dimension particulière à cette mobilisation. Chacune d’elles apporte un engagement, une expérience et des initiatives qui résonnent avec les réalités des femmes et des filles de son pays. En nous réunissant, nous partageons également une volonté commune : apprendre les unes des autres et renforcer notre capacité à agir collectivement.
Au cœur de cette journée, je pense à ces femmes qui continuent de faire vivre leur famille malgré les difficultés, et à ces filles dont les études et les rêves sont menacés par le changement climatique, les conflits et les vulnérabilités économiques. C’est pour elles, et avec elles, que nous nous engageons au sein de l’OPDAD.
À mes sœurs Premières Dames, je tiens à exprimer ma gratitude pour leur présence et leur engagement indéfectible envers cette ambition. Je remercie également nos partenaires et toutes les bonnes volontés qui nous accompagnent pour transformer cette solidarité en actions concrètes et durables.
#BuildingResilience #OPDAD #LeadershipFéminin
Senegal is the 7th OAFLAD Member state to launch the #BuildingResilience campaign 👏
Today in Dakar, Senegal, I am honoured to lead the official launch of Building Resilience, a continental initiative under my leadership as President of OAFLAD.
This initiative reflects our collective commitment to strengthening the resilience of women and girls in the face of climate change, conflict, and other challenges affecting their health, dignity, and livelihoods.
Together, we will continue to champion practical solutions, strengthen partnerships, and advance a future where every woman and girl has the opportunity to thrive.
Building Resilience. Empowering Women. Transforming Lives.
FMB.
Des extraits du discours de Madame la Première Dame, Marie Khone FAYE, lors du lancement officiel de la Campagne Building Résilience, en présence du Chef de l’État et des Premières Dames d’Afrique membres de l’OPDAD.
#BuildingResilience #OPDAD #leadershipfeminin
Welcomed in Dakar by First Lady Marie Khone Faye, the First Ladies of Africa from OPDAD are spearheading the campaign for the resilience of women and girls. The President praised their leadership and assured them of the support of regional and subregional organizations.
#BuildingResilience
Watch the ceremony #LIVE🔴 here : facebook.com/stories/1220999…
🇸🇳 Senegal becomes the 7th country to launch the #BuildingResilience campaign!
Today, 14 October 2026, Dakar hosts the official launch ceremony, marking another milestone in our collective commitment to advancing the health and well-being of women and girls across Africa.
Joining the host, H.E. Mrs @MarieKhoneFaye , First Lady of Senegal, the ceremony’s programme features six African First Ladies:
🇸🇱 H.E. Dr. Fatima Maada Bio @Ladyfatimabio – Sierra Leone, President of OAFLAD
🇧🇮 H.E. Mrs. Angeline Ndayishimiye @OPDD_Burundi – Burundi
🇨🇻 H.E. Mrs. Débora Katisa Carvalho – Cabo Verde
🇬🇦 H.E. Mrs. Zita Oligui Nguema @ZitaOligui – Gabon
🇬🇲 H.E. Mrs. Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow – The Gambia
🇨🇫 H.E. Mrs. Brigitte Touadéra – Central African Republic
Their participation reflects a shared commitment to building a healthier and more resilient Africa.
✨ Stay tuned! We will be sharing the key moments of this memorable day with you!
#HerJourneyHerHealth #BuildingResilience #OAFLAD #Senegal
OAFLAD 🌍 retweeted
Cette visite s’inscrit dans le cadre de sa participation aux activités de lancement de la campagne nationale de l’initiative « Building Resilience 2025-2027 », placée sous le thème : « Renforcer la résilience des femmes et des filles : climat, conflits et avenir durable ».
OAFLAD 🌍 retweeted
Un dîner d’accueil a été organisé à Dakar, ce 13.10.2026, en l’honneur des Premières Dames présentes dans la capitale sénégalaise dont @Burundi1stLady. Cette cérémonie de prestige a été honorée par la présence de Son Excellence le Président de la République du Sénégal.
OAFLAD 🌍 retweeted
SE @Burundi1stLady est bien arrivée, ce 13 octobre 2026, à l’Aéroport international Blaise-Diagne (AIBD), au #Sénégal. Elle a été chaleureusement accueillie par Son Excellence Marie Khone Faye, la Première Dame du Sénégal, ainsi que par la population.
OAFLAD 🌍 retweeted
I have arrived in Dakar, Senegal Tuesday 13th October , for the “Building Resilience” Campaign.
As President of the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD), I am honoured to join my sister First Ladies and partners for this important gathering.
Tomorrow’s official ceremony in Senegal will provide a valuable opportunity to strengthen our collective efforts in advancing the wellbeing and resilience of women and girls across our continent.
I look forward to the meaningful discussions and shared commitment ahead.
FMB


































































