Details of high-level meeting Rachel Ruto is attending in Zanzibar
First Lady Rachel Ruto, on Friday, February 28, 2025, attended a high-level meeting in Zanzibar aimed at promoting health care and empowerment for different groups.
She joined other first ladies under the banner of the Organization of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD), an advocacy organization uniting African First Ladies, for the groundbreaking of an initiative to champion health accessibility and empowerment initiatives for women and youth in Zanzibar.
Mariam Mwinyi, Zanzibar’s First Lady, hosted the high-level event, which was also attended by Burundi’s First Lady, Angeline Ndayishimiye.
Angola and Nigeria’s First Ladies sent their representatives to the event. Before the event officially kicked off, various attendees went on a four-kilometer walk in a bid to create awareness on the importance of promoting gender inclusivity and deepening access to healthcare.
Details of the organisation
The Organization of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD) is intensifying its continent-wide ‘#We Are Equal’ campaign to promote gender equity.
The campaign was launched during the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September 2024. During a pivotal summit, prominent figures such as Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, shared impactful insights from the campaign’s first year, emphasizing its potential to shape Africa’s future.
The summit also addressed pressing health concerns, such as the rise of monkeypox. Leaders, including representatives from the World Health Organization and UNICEF, urged First Ladies to spearhead efforts against the disease.
Rachel feted
During the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Rachel Ruto was feted for her support of women’s empowerment in Kenya.
Rachel was awarded a recognition certificate at an event on the sidelines of UNGA 79 in the US in September 2024.
“As First Ladies of Africa, we are ambassadors for our countries and partners in development, dedicated to addressing the pressing challenges faced by millions of women and children across the continent,” said Rachel Ruto.
She noted that the African First Ladies came together in 2023 to start the campaign aimed at championing equality. Their campaign is premised on four pillars, including health, education, women’s economic empowerment, and the fight against gender-based violence.
“In 2023, we united around the #WeAreEqual campaign, driven by four key pillars: health, education, women’s economic empowerment, and the fight against gender-based violence.
“We met on the sidelines of UNGA 79 to reflect on our progress and embark on a new phase of this journey: #WeAreEqualInAction. We are determined to close gender gaps across Africa by adopting a partner-led approach that strengthens our collective vision,” she added.
Rachel also noted that the organization held a powerful position globally, allowing the first ladies to mobilize resources, convene, and ultimately impact Africa.
“We will succeed because we are hungry for change and passionate about the future of our continent and our people. We will create a future where every African child, every woman, and every man thrive.
“With your continued participation, we can dream bigger, act faster, and go further,” she insisted.
