First Lady Rachel Ruto call for women empowerment during 30th OAFLAD meet in Ethiopia
First Lady Rachel Ruto has emphasised the need to empower African women and children to achieve their full potential.
Speaking in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, during the 30th Organisation of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD), the First Lady said women across the continent have demonstrated immense resilience in the face of climate change and conflict.
“In Kenya, we are clear, investing in women and girls is not an expense; it is the smartest investment a nation can make. Protect a girl, and you stabilize a family. Educate a girl, and you strengthen an economy. Empower a woman, and you transform a nation,” she said.
She called on the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD) to move beyond policy commitments toward measurable, people centred impact.
“It is about safeguarding rights, strengthening systems, and advancing justice. This aligns directly with the theme of the 30th OAFLAD General Assembly: Building Resilience for Women and Girls: Climate, Conflict, and Sustainable Futures,” she noted.
She acknowledged that while Kenya’s targeted interventions are significant, the scale of the challenge remains considerable. One in six adolescent girls aged 15–19 has begun childbearing.
As of December 1, 2025, thematic briefs by UNFPA Kenya indicate that young women account for 78 per cent of new HIV infections among those aged 15–24.
“Behind these numbers are interrupted dreams and deferred futures,” she said.
On climate change, Rachel observed that although Kenya lies along the equatorial belt and receives adequate rainfall in some regions, 80 per cent of the country is classified as arid and semi-arid land, making it highly vulnerable to food insecurity and climate shocks.
“By reducing dependence on firewood and charcoal, we protect women’s health, reduce deforestation, and lower carbon emissions,” she stated.
Through the Joyful Women Organization, thousands of women have been trained as clean cooking ambassadors across the country, turning climate action into economic opportunity at the grassroots level.
“To address the Triple Threat, in partnership with OAFLAD, we launched the Triple Threat Programme in August 2025 — a coordinated, evidence-based response to teenage pregnancy, HIV, and sexual and gender-based violence,” she said.
She said the programme has since been elevated to a national priority, mobilising leadership across government, civil society, and the private sector, in line with Kenya’s commitment to ending the Triple Threat by 2027.
“Equally, through the Voice of Children initiative, a programme in my office, we are ensuring that thousands of children have access to food, educational materials, and safe spaces. Beyond safeguarding, we actively advocate against violence and amplify children’s voices, empowering them to participate in decisions that shape their own lives,” she added.
The First Lady was alongside other First Ladies from Sierra Leonne, Angola, Liberia, Botswana, Burundi, Senegal, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana and the First Gentleman of Namibia.
