Fatima Bio Advocates for Women’s Health and Digital Innovation at AU Summit and OAFLAD Assembly in Addis Ababa

Sierra Leone’s First Lady and President of the Organization of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD), Fatima Maada Bio, has called for the urgent integration of uterine and hormonal health into national primary healthcare systems during high-level meetings in Ethiopia.

Mrs. Bio is currently in Addis Ababa to preside over the 30th General Assembly of OAFLAD, held on the sidelines of the 39th Ordinary Session of the African Union Summit. Her visit focuses on deepening the continent’s commitment to the health, education, and empowerment of women and children.

Delivering a keynote address at an OAFLAD side event today, the First Lady argued that African health systems must better recognize the “lived realities” of women and girls. She highlighted that uterine and hormonal health are frequently overlooked in national policies, despite their profound impact on women’s education, economic participation, and mental well-being.

“Integrating uterine and hormonal health into national primary health care frameworks is not optional — it is essential,” Mrs. Bio stated. “It is fundamental to achieving Universal Health Coverage and to advancing true gender equality on our continent.”

She urged African nations to generate their own evidence and invest in “homegrown solutions” that protect the dignity of women, rather than relying solely on external approaches.

In a separate engagement just hours ago, Mrs. Bio addressed a High-Level Side Event focused on Digital Health Technologies for Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health.

Speaking in her capacity as OAFLAD President, she championed the adoption of data-driven systems to protect mothers and children. She emphasized that technology, when guided by compassion and accountability, can transform healthcare delivery by identifying risks early and improving access to essential services.

“I stand firm in ensuring that no woman, child, or adolescent is left invisible in Africa’s health transformation,” she said.

Upon her arrival in Addis Ababa yesterday, Mrs. Bio reiterated her determination to use the OAFLAD platform to amplify Africa’s voice on the global stage. She pledged to continue driving measurable impact in girls’ education and youth empowerment, aiming to build resilient communities across the continent.

“Moments like these remind us that when African women leaders come together, we do not just discuss change — we drive it,” she affirmed.