The First Lady of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Vice President of OPDAD, reminded everyone that this organization has been serving vulnerable people for 22 years in order to achieve the strategic objectives set by the Organization, including reducing neonatal, infant, and maternal mortality rates, improving the sexual and reproductive health of adolescents, gender equality and health promotion, and combating different forms of violence against women and girls.

She stated that the themes of the AU and OPDAD summit reaffirm the importance of equity in education. Moreover, she asserted that it is one of the most powerful tools for social change at their disposal.

"We must build the Africa we all dream of: a developed Africa with educated, healthy, and empowered children, youth, and women. Therefore, we must mobilize and use our collective power to achieve our common goals. Each one of us must use this momentum and continue to encourage investment in women's education at all levels," she concluded.

For her part, the Ambassador, Minata Samate Cessouma, Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs, and Social Development of the African Union Commission, highlighted through her representative the role of African culture in the protection and education of children, as well as the crucial role of African culture in protecting and sustaining the lives of mothers, children, adolescents, and the population at large. Subsequently, she presented the African Union Commission, AUC, as the active champion of key initiatives aligned with the four current pillars of OPDAD, namely health, education, economic empowerment, and the fight against violence towards women.

In total, eleven African First Ladies, partners of OPDAD, and special guests from around the world took part in this activity.

Gisèle Tshijuka