Mrs Kaone Tumalano Boko, First Lady of the Republic of Botswana, will depart for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on 12 February 2026 to participate in the 30th Ordinary General Assembly of the Organization of African First Ladies for Development. The high level gathering is scheduled to take place from 11 to 15 February 2026 on the sidelines of the African Union Summit. Her participation places Botswana at the center of continental dialogue on gender equality and sustainable development. The General Assembly brings together African First Ladies and key stakeholders to address urgent challenges affecting women and girls across the continent. Botswana’s presence signals continued commitment to regional cooperation and shared solutions.
The 30th OAFLAD General Assembly will be held under the theme Building Resilience of Women and Girls Climate, Conflict and Sustainable Futures. This theme reflects growing concern about the disproportionate impact of climate change and conflict on women and girls in Africa. Across the continent, climate shocks and instability have intensified food insecurity, displacement and economic vulnerability. Women and girls often face heightened exposure to violence and insecurity in these settings. By focusing on resilience, the Assembly aims to strengthen systems that protect rights and expand opportunities.
The meeting builds on the launch of OAFLAD’s continental campaign, #Building Resilience for Women and Girls in the Face of Climate Change and Conflict. The campaign moves beyond advocacy statements and highlights the real crises affecting communities. In many regions, girls’ education is disrupted by displacement and resource shortages. Health systems are weakened, limiting access to maternal care and essential services. Economic pathways are constrained, reducing opportunities for women to achieve financial independence and long term stability.
During the Assembly, African First Ladies, advisors, development partners and civil society leaders will exchange experiences and share best practices. The platform encourages coordinated advocacy strategies that align national efforts with continental frameworks. Discussions will focus on strengthening gender responsive approaches in policy design and implementation. Delegates will also examine how to integrate resilience building into climate action plans and conflict response strategies. Collaboration at this level aims to produce practical commitments that can be implemented at country level.
Key expected outcomes include enhanced political commitment to gender equality and resilience driven development. The Assembly seeks stronger alignment between OAFLAD initiatives, national development priorities and African Union frameworks. There is also a renewed push to place women and girls at the center of policy responses and sustainable solutions. For Botswana, participation by the First Lady reinforces national efforts to advance gender empowerment and social protection. The Addis Ababa engagement is expected to strengthen partnerships that support long term resilience for women and girls across Africa.
