At the 19th Non-Allied Movement Summit in Kampala, the spouses of attending leaders gathered to discuss strategies for empowering girls and women in their respective countries. Hosted by Janet Kataha Museveni, the First Lady of Uganda and Minister of Education and Sports, the meeting delved into experiences and initiatives to uplift women.
Mrs. Museveni, in a powerful address, expressed her unwavering commitment to empowering those in need, sharing a documentary showcasing her efforts since 1986. The documentary highlighted her role as the founder of Uganda Women’s Efforts to Save Orphans (UWESO) during the AIDS epidemic, her impact in the Karamoja region, and subsequent successes as the Minister of Education.
The event saw the participation of the First Lady of Burundi, Angeline Ndayishimiye, recognized for her work in advancing the welfare and empowerment of Burundi’s population. Mignon Bowen-Phillips from Guyana and Sadieh Shahel from Singapore also contributed their perspectives, with Shahel highlighting Singapore’s success in gender equity.
Janet Museveni expressed concern over the poor attendance by spouses of visiting leaders, emphasizing the need for collective efforts to address gender disparities. The event witnessed the launch of the “We Are Equal” campaign, an initiative by the Organization of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD) aimed at bridging the gender gap in Africa.
Nardos Berhanu, the OAFLAD Executive Secretary, called upon leaders, global partners, and stakeholders to actively protect and advocate for the rights of women and girls across the continent.
