First Ladies press for girl’s education, health

Chantal Biya, First Lady of Cameroon, Michelle Obama, First Lady of the United States of America (USA) and Laura Bush, former USA First Lady, on Wednesday August 6, 2014 at the John F. Kennedy Center for the performing Arts Washington D.C discussed and agreed on the importance of educating women and girls worldwide, for this will add to the prosperity of any nation.

This was during a day-long spouse’s forum which brought together some 30 African First Ladies. Organized by the Office of Mrs. Michelle Obama, the George W. Bush Institute, and the U.S. Department of State, talks focused on the theme, “Investing in Our Future at the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit.”

The forum began with a conversation between First Lady Michelle Obama and Mrs. Laura Bush. Moderated by Cokie Roberts, both ladies examined the unique role and podium first spouses possess and how vital such a role is to the progress of girls and women in any nation.

While thanking all the First Ladies who had joined in discussions and also in the wonderful work they are already doing for the wellbeing of women, Michelle Obama said, “It was important for us not only because we could, but because we should since we have the chance as First Ladies to impact our country in a dramatic way for the sake of mothers and grandmothers worldwide.”

She noted that some 60 million girls, including 30 million in sub-Saharan Africa, do not attend school adding that, “Until global leaders understand that educating girls is as important as educating boys, then we will have a lot of work to do.”

Laura Bush stressed on the need to make sure that women are valued worldwide. As if to buttress the worries of the First Ladies, the 43rd President of the United States, George W. Bush in his remarks reiterated that; "The success of any nation is impossible without... the participation of women."

A woman’s health according to George W. Bush has a profound effect on her family’s well-being, including the vitality and future of her children as well as her ability to contribute to the livelihood of the family.” As he lamented on the ravaging effects of cancer amongst African women, George Bush said, “The fatal link between HIV and cervical cancer can be broken. And it is our job to break it”.

President George W. Bush later announced the launch of Pink Ribbon Red Ribbon in Ethiopia and Namibia, and introduced the first group of Ambassadors for the public-private partnership.

Pink Ribbon Red Ribbon is a global health partnership founded by the George W. Bush Institute, the U.S. Government through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS).

The partnership which has helped screen over 100,000 women for cervical cancer in Botswana, Tanzania, and Zambia in the last three years will build on existing healthcare programmes in Ethiopia and Namibia to add interventions to prevent, screen for, and treat cervical cancer.

Throughout discussions, Cameroon’s First Lady, applauded and agreed with a head gesture as issues presented fell with her daily actions not only to give value to the womanhood but also to improve their living conditions.

As UNESCO’s Goodwill Ambassador for Education and Social Inclusion, Mrs. Chantal Biya from all indications was at the right place at the right time to connect with other First Ladies and exchange ideas.