AYV News, July 30, 2026
Sierra Leone’s First Lady and President of the Organization of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD), Dr. Fatima Maada Bio, last evening arrived in Luanda, Angola, to spearhead the launch of a major continental campaign aimed at strengthening the resilience of women and girls across Africa.
The campaign, themed “Strengthening Resilience for Women and Girls: Climate, Conflict and a Sustainable Future,” will bring together African First Ladies, development partners, policymakers, and other key stakeholders to advance inclusive and sustainable solutions that empower women and girls in the face of growing climate and conflict-related challenges.
Speaking upon her arrival, Dr. Bio reaffirmed her commitment to championing policies and programmes that protect women and girls while creating opportunities for them to become leaders, innovators, and drivers of sustainable development across the continent.
“As President of OAFLAD, I am honoured to join my fellow First Ladies, development partners, and key stakeholders as we reaffirm our collective commitment to advancing practical, inclusive, and sustainable solutions that empower women and girls across Africa,” she said.
The First Lady described the initiative as a shared African vision designed to strengthen resilience, expand opportunities, and place women and girls at the heart of sustainable development efforts.
She also expressed optimism that the campaign would foster meaningful dialogue, strengthen partnerships, and translate commitments into concrete actions that will promote a more just, prosperous, and sustainable future for Africa.
Dr. Bio concluded her remarks with a call for unity, stressing that African nations must work together to ensure that no woman or girl is left behind.
The continental campaign is expected to generate renewed momentum for policies and programmes that address the impact of climate change and conflict on women and girls while promoting gender equality and sustainable development across Africa.
