President of the Organization of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD) brings her expertise in international development to support strategic engagement for global health
Berlin, March 22, 2023 – The First Lady of Namibia, Her Excellency Monica Geingos is a newly appointed member of the Board of Trustees for the Virchow Foundation for Global Health. In this role, she will work closely with other internationally distinguished board members to provide strategic guidance towards realizing the Virchow Foundation’s purpose and mission.
Mrs. Monica Geingos is a qualified lawyer with extensive experience in the financial and private equity sector. She is the First Lady of Namibia since 2015 and her office focuses on public health, entrepreneurship, youth development and gender-based violence. The First Lady serves on several international committees and is a UNAIDS Special Advocate for Young Women and Adolescent Girls.
In 2002, the Organization of African First Ladies against HIV/AIDS (OAFLA) was formed to be a united voice for Africa’s women and children living with, and affected by, HIV and AIDS. This organisation with the mission to contribute to the health and well-being of children, youth and women through advocacy, resource mobilisation and strategic partnerships evolved to the Organization of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD). Acting as a facilitator for advocacy, the First Ladies of Africa seek to leverage their unique position to support implementation of policies that promote equitable health access and young, female empowerment. These efforts shape an extremely important and effective contribution towards the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Core values guiding the organisation are, amongst others, integrity, transparency, diversity and collaboration.
“I am delighted to join the Board of Trustees and leverage my network to support the Virchow Foundation for Global Health to achieve its mission in raising awareness and engagement for global health. As health inequity continues to be one of the most pervasive components that prevent us from reaching health for all, partnerships between international organisations are essential to help address the complex health barriers that exist globally. It is an honour to closely collaborate with esteemed colleagues from the Virchow Foundation towards a more sustainable and healthy future for next generations”, said Mrs. Geingos.
Meet the First Lady of Namibia, Madam Monica Geingos, and read more on her motivation for joining as esteemed Member of the Virchow Foundation for Global Health Board of Trustees: >Link
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About the Virchow Foundation for Global Health
The Virchow Foundation for Global Health was established in 2021 with the support of the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities as well as Members of the German Parliament to contribute to the improvement of health worldwide. This purpose is achieved through the joint commitment by highly respected individuals and organisations, across sectors and regions and especially by the establishment of the Virchow Prize for Global Health. The Foundation closely aligns its work with the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to promote and raise awareness of global health issues. Further information: www.virchow.foundation
About the Virchow Prize for Global Health
The Virchow Prize for Global Health was awarded for the first time to John N. Nkengasong in 2022 under the High Patronage of German Federal President, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, and is endowed with €500,000. It recognises outstanding lifetime achievements in the field of global health that align and uphold the Sustainable Development Goals of the Agenda 2030 of the United Nations. Nominations for the 2023 Virchow Prize for Global Health may be submitted until March 31, 2023. Further information: https://virchowprize.org/nominations/
