AFLPM's mandate is:
- To build a culture of peace and development in Africa
- To offer support and services to victims of conflict
- To use appropriate mechanisms and institutions to protect women and children in areas of armed conflict It came into existence in 1995 after the Beijing Conference on women in Beijing, China. The initiative was taken by the First Ladies of Nigeria, Gambia, Benin,
Uganda, Lesotho and Burundi to undertake a mission of peace to the rest of Africa. Following a series of activities at regional levels, the Formal Declaration of the African First Ladies Peace Mission was made in Harare, Zimbabwe during the OAU Summit in 1996. This initiative led to the establishment of the African First Ladies Peace Mission (AFLPM). Nigeria hosted the first AFLPM summit and was elected the pioneer president of the Mission. Apart from Mrs. Maryam Sani Abacha who was the first President on behalf of Nigeria, other countries that have produced the president of the African First Ladies Peace Mission are the Republic of the Congo (2000); Equatorial Guinea (2002); Burkina Faso (2004); Democratic Republic of the Congo (2006) and Nigeria (2008 to date). The main objective of the Mission is to address the peace situation on the African continent with regard to the role of women, and mobilize both government and non-government resources to help reduce violent conflict and their effects in Africa. AFLPM helps to build and strengthen the culture of peace and development in Africa, while offering support and service to victims in conflict affected countries, especially, among women and children. Even the most hard-nosed cynic will concede that these, unquestionably, are noble objectives, especially when we juxtapose them with the reality of various wars and violent conflicts that plague our continent. The conflicts do not only impinge upon the development of our people, but also leaves a litany of pain, anguish and suffering, especially amongst the most vulnerable demographic groups, which are the women, children and the elderly. The first ladies, who are members of the Executive Bureau of the AFLPM, include Mrs Nompumelelo Zuma, the Vice President, Southern Africa region and Hajiya Wahad Omer, the Vice President of Eastern Africa region. Others are Mrs Chantal Biya, the Vice President, Central Africa region and Mrs Antoinette N’Guesso of Cameroun. The need for peace on our continent calls for concerted efforts at all levels, including international, regional, national and communal to redress and reverse the scourge of violent conflicts. We believe first ladies are the agents of change. Since the role of the first lady is not defined by any Constitution in Africa, and around the globe it often comes without regulations or rules. It is a job no woman applies for but is instead required to take. The job carries with it a powerful voice that often reaches beyond political lines.
