On the 13^th of April 2011, the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) in conjunction with the International Planned Parenthood Federation Africa Region (IPPFAR) held the USA launch of the ‘African Women Leaders Network’ on the sidelines of the 44^th Session of the UN Commission on Population and Development, New York, USA.

The African Women Leaders Network for Reproductive Health and Family Planning (AWLN) is a collective of 35 African women leaders from 15 African countries. The network supports the efforts of African women to improve reproductive health and access comprehensive family planning. Members of AWLN seek to mobilise greater public support and political commitment to promote reproductive health and family planning as an intrinsic part of broader goals for sustainable development.

The USA launch of the AWLN introduced members of the network to civil society organizations and development partners united in the common goal of the provision of universal access to reproductive health and family planning. Members of the network at the reception included H.E. Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi, President of AWDF and First Lady of Ekiti State, Nigeria; Yvonne Chaka Chaka, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador for RollBack Malaria; Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, General Secretary of the World YWCA; Hon. Ruth Kavuma, Member of Parliament, Uganda; Hon. Marie Rose Nguini-Effa, Member of the Pan-African Parliament; Tabitha Njoroge, Executive Director of WILDAF Kenya; and Dr Hilda Tadria, Executive Director of MEMPROW and AWDF Board Chair.

An address was given by Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). Other speakers at the reception included Dr Jacqueline Sharpe, President of the International Planned Parenthood Federation; Her Excellency Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi, President of the African Women’s Development Fund, First Lady of Ekiti State, Nigeria and a member of the AWLN; Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, General Secretary of the World YWCA; Hon. Marie Rose Nguini-Effa, member of the Pan-African Parliament; Yvonne Chaka Chaka, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador for RollBack Malaria and a member of the AWLN.

In his address, Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin spoke of the critical importance of ensuring that there was widespread availability of reproductive health commodities and well-trained health personnel to stem the high rates of maternal mortality on the African continent. He urged African governments to invest resources in women’s reproductive health and reiterated his commitment to the African Womens Leaders Network and all progressive movements that seek the provision of universal access to reproductive health and family planning.