Simon Ateba covers the White House, the U.S. government, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and other financial and international institutions for Today News Africa in Washington D.C. Simon can be reached on simonateba@todaynewsafrica.com
African First Ladies on Tuesday called for gender equality and women empowerment, saying that a continent that leaves women behind is bound to fail.
The call by the Organization of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD) was made on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
OAFLAD Chairperson, the First Lady of Congo Madame Antoinette Sassou N’guesso and other African First Ladies and their technical teams attended the meeting.
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The High Level Meeting with theme Renewing Commitment towards Enhancing Gender Equality and Women Empowerment in Africa was also attended by development partners, including UNFPA, UNAIDS and ADB.
The First Ladies signed a Call to Action urging stakeholders to honor their commitments on gender equality and women empowerment and ensure that gender equality in education remains a priority especially for disadvantaged girls.
They also called on leaders to support equal participation for women in leadership and decision making positions as well as commit to eliminating harmful practices.
The First Lady, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Mrs. Aisha Buhari was represented by Dr. Hajo Sani, Senior Special Assistant to the President of Nigeria at the head of a delegation of wives of some government officials and technocrats.
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