NLN Index & Abstract

First Lady Pledges Greater Advocacy for Women, Youths at AU Forum

OGUNDELE, Bolaji

Monday, February 17, 2025, pg.6

	First Lady Pledges Greater Advocacy for Women, Youths at AU Forum First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu has reaffirmed her commitment to closing the gender gap and empowering women and youth in Nigeria through advocacy, resource mobilization, and strategic partnerships. Speaking at the twenty-ninth General Assembly of the Organization of African First Ladies for Development in Addis Ababa, she acknowledged progress made since the Beijing Declaration while highlighting persistent challenges such as gender-based violence, female genital mutilation, child marriage, and limited access to education and healthcare. As a new member of the steering committee for the Organization of African First Ladies for Development, she pledged to support their upcoming strategic framework and intensify national efforts through her Renewed Hope Initiative, which will distribute sixty thousand professional kits to midwives and launch campaigns to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV, AIDS, syphilis, and hepatitis. Furthermore, she plans to partner with the Federal Ministry of Environment to expand climate change awareness in schools, emphasizing that Africa's future prosperity relies heavily on its cultural heritage and the leadership of its women and youth. OGUNDELE, Bolaji \| 1. Women in development—Nigeria 2. Women's rights—Africa \| The Nation \| Monday, February 17, 2025