First Lady Holds Meeting With Ford Foundation President
First Lady Margaret Kenyatta today held a meeting with Darren Walker, the Ford Foundation President at the institution’s headquarters in New York, United States of America.
The First Lady lauded the Ford Foundation for being a good and important friend to Kenya and for running numerous programmes to improve the quality of life of a large number of families in the country.
She said the Ford Foundation’s focus on breaking down social and economic barriers is in tandem with the aspirations of the Beyond Zero campaign which also emphasized on increasing access and reaching marginal parts of Kenya with health services.
The First Lady said, “Kenya is grateful, and on behalf of our people and the Government of Kenya, I thank the Ford Foundation for its 25 years commitment in Kenya and its role in doing social good.”
Through the Beyond Zero campaign, the Ford Foundation has strengthened its commitment to Kenyans through participation in the provision of focused interventions around HIV/AIDS control and the promotion of maternal, new-born and child health in our country.
Mr. Walker praised the First Lady for the great work she is doing for Kenyan mothers and children and said many countries around the world are already focusing on replicating the Beyond Zero model.
He added that the strategic leadership provided by the First Lady was key in creating awareness and mobilizing resources to improve the lives of Kenyans living in undeserved areas.
He pledged his organizations continued support to the Beyond Zero campaign both now and in the future.
The First Lady arrived in New York, United States of America, Wednesday, to join other world leaders for the fifty-ninth session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW).
The meeting is taking place at United Nations Headquarters in New York from 9th to 20th March 2015. Representatives of Member States, UN entities, Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and accredited non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from all regions of the world are attending the session.
The main focus of the session will be on the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, including current challenges that affect its implementation and the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of women.