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H.E. Mama Salma Kikwete earlier
today met with Ms. Natalie Gonnella – Platts and Toun Olateju who paid a
visit to WAMA Foundation. Natalie works with First Ladies Initiative
while Toun works with Pink Ribbon Red Ribbon at the George W. Bush
Presidential Centre.
Mama Salma Kikwete partnered with
Mrs. Laura Bush, former First Lady of US to launch the First Ladies
Initiative in Dar es Salaam three years ago. Mama Kikwete champions
efforts to curb the spread and morbidities associated with breast and
cervical cancers in Tanzania which is one of the key priorities of the
Bush centre through Pink Ribbon Red Ribbon initiative.
Speaking at the meeting, Mama
Kikwete reiterated her commitment to continue supporting women and girls
in the areas of education, health and economic empowerment. These are
the three pillars that cannot be tackled separately if we wish to
transform the lives of women in Tanzania, Said Mama Kikwete. WAMA
understands and embraces this concept to the extent that they constitute
part of the four strategic objectives of the organization.
“I am look forward to
continue working with Mrs. Laura Bush, Former US First Lady, President
Bush and other colleagues at Bush Institute to increase awareness and
expand treatment services for cervical and breast cancer. Having made
significant investment in cervices, awareness becomes a very important
strategy in mobilizing masses to come forward and utilize screening and
treatment services for early signs. We are also keen to continue working
with other partners to rollout vaccination to young girls” Mama Kikwete
said.
Mr. Daudi Nasib, WAMA Executive
Secretary on his part explained WAMA’s in championing the national HPV
vaccination program for young girls. He highlighted the progress made
by the Government of Tanzania in introducing Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)
for young Girls aged 9 to 13. The vaccination program was officially
launched in Kilimanjaro Region by Mama Salma Kikwete, then First Lady
and WAMA Chairperson, in 27th April 2014 during the National
Immunization Week.
“Since then the WAMA
Chairperson has been doing advocacy all over the country in rolling out
the vaccination program around the country. WAMA has mobilized resources
to conduct mass screening and treatment campaigns for cervical and
breast cancer in Tanzania” Mr. Nasib said
Ms. Toun Olateju Manager, Country
Programs of Pink Ribbon Red Ribbon expressed her great appreciation to
WAMA Foundation Chairperson, Mama Salma Kikwete and staff for the
excellent performance in implementing the Pink Ribbon Red Ribbon
Initiative on Prevention and treatment of Cervical Cancer in Tanzania.
“I would like to convey Mrs.
Laura Bush greetings to Mama Salma Kikwete and WAMA Staff. They are all
committed to this initiative and will continue collaborating with you to
improve the health of women in Tanzania” Ms. Olateju said.
Ms. Natalie Gonnella, Manager
First Ladies Initiative from George W. Bush Institute added that Mrs.
Laura Bush is very active and eager to continue relationship with WAMA
Chairperson. She informed mama Kikwete that the George W. Bush Institute
and the International Center for Research on Women (ICRW) are now
working on a research study on the role and influence of the First
Ladies in improving their people’s lives. Since she is a great example
of what the First Ladies could do to improve lives of the communities,
they would like to engage her in this research”. Natalie told Mama Salma
Kikwete.
The Pink Ribbon Red Ribbon
initiative was introduced in Tanzania in 2013 during the African First
Ladies Summit, themed Investing in Women: Strengthening Africa that was
held in Dar es Salaam from July 02-03, 2013. WAMA Foundation partners
with Medical Women’s Association of Tanzania (MEWATA), T-MARC Tanzania,
Tanzania Youth Alliance (TAYOA) and the Mbeya HIV/AIDS Network to
implement the Pink Ribbon Red Ribbon Initiative in Tanzania.
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