African First Ladies Association Commits to Action for Peace
- Mar 28
- 2 min read
Nairobi, Kenya – The International Association of First Ladies for Peace (IAFLP) Africa organized a high-level continental webinar on the theme “No Peace Without Women” on March 28, 2026, in alignment with International Women’s Day.
The program served as a working-level meeting, inaugurating new leadership and adopting a unified Call to Action, as IAFLP seeks to transition from dialogue to a structured, ECOSOC-aligned advocacy platform designed to influence peace and mediation processes across the continent.
A key highlight was the official inauguration of Amb. Dr. Callista Mutharika, former first lady of Malawi, as the chair of IAFLP Africa. Her appointment leverages decades of experience in the Pan-African Parliament and grassroots development, to provide the association with a high-level moral and symbolic authority.
Dr. Mutharika outlined a three-pillar strategy for the continent: advocating for the systematic inclusion of women in formal mediation, deepening intergovernmental collaboration, and securing sustained investment in leadership development for women and girls. This agenda aligns with the strategic shift from event-based activities to sustainable institutional impact.
“Peace is not a distant ideal to be hoped for; it is a deliberate choice to be made, nurtured and sustained through inclusive leadership. And where women lead, peace endures,” Dr. Mutharika stated.
In alignment with UPF’s designation of April as the Month of Service, the forum redefined peacebuilding as an act of service and sacrifice. Leadership emphasized that women’s daily roles as the anchors of families and communities are the practical foundations upon which national stability is built.
Dr. Susan Koné, coordinator of IAFLP Africa, encouraged participants by reminding them, “Our voices are stronger when we are united... women must take their rightful place in decision-making spaces that shape the future of nations.”
The formal adoption of the document “Women Advancing Peace, Reconciliation and Family Values in Africa” provides a clear roadmap for mobilizing women leaders. This outcome ensures that IAFLP Africa operates with a unified voice to strengthen families and elevate women’s participation in governance and peace structures.
