First Lady Mama Rachel Ruto, has committed to empower 2.5 million women, advocate clean cooking and environmental conservation in Africa.
In her speech in New York on Thursday, September 21, the First Lady announced her commitment towards the “We Are Equal” Campaign.
It was launched by the Organization for Africa First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD), at an event held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
‘We are equal’ is a campaign by African First Ladies which was launched on June 17, and aims at closing the gender gap in Africa.
#WeAreEqual campaign calls for urgent action to advance gender equity and close the gender gap in Africa.
“The campaign will be launched in Kenya on 22nd November 2023, during the inaugural Women Summit,” Rachel Ruto said.
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Additionally, Rachel Ruto outlined the fundamental areas for that campaign.
“The broad areas for the We are Equal campaign are health care, gender-based violence, education and economic empowerment,” she added.
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However, the First Lady committed to empowering 2.5 million women with opportunities, skills, and tools that will empower them to become economically productive.
Additionally, the women will benefit in financial inclusion and financial health in micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
Also there will be an easy trade and market access for women.
Further the First Lady noted that there risks that are associated with indoor household pollution, especially for women and children.
In her speech Mama Rachel Ruto promised to champion the uptake of clean cooking technologies.
Moreover, she urged other first ladies to support energy transition and eradicate household pollution-related deaths.
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At the 2023 Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi, it was noted that 600 million Africans lack access to electricity and 970 million Africans lack access to clean cooking.
The First Lady further challenged OAFLA to support the Africa Climate Summit 2023 declaration to make climate change a theme for the African Union in 2025, by making conservation and climate action a corresponding theme.
Additionally, the First Lady has championed a Mama Doing Good Campaign in the country whose main aim is to have an equitable society where every person lives a happy, fulfilled and transformed life.