Addis Ababa, February 1 (WIC) – U.S Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs, Maria Otero, urged African First Ladies to continue to walk forward in the fight against HIV/ AIDS.

Speaking at the opening of the meeting of the Organization of African First Ladies Against HIV/AIDS (OAFLA) here today, Otero said African First Ladies need to further scale up their leadership and personal dedication in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

She said the United States is committed to working closely with OAFLA and African governments to mount a coordinated response to the global burden of this disease.

   Commending their collective leadership in the fight against HIV/AIDS, Otero also challenged the assembled First Ladies to leverage their leadership position to tackle the challenge of human trafficking- particularly of women and girls.  

   “As we talk about expanding our fight against this terrible scourge on Africa, I want to encourage you to open your eyes to another, related challenge. And this is the terrible problem of human trafficking-especially of women and girls,” she said. 

   Otero indicated that women and men are in situations of forced labor or sexual abuse, without escape or refuge. Trafficking still exists today- around Africa and around the world-and it is a problem that merits the highest levels of attention, she added.

   Otero also held discussion with First Lady Azeb Mesfin on women’s issue last Saturday.