Mama Salma Kikwete reaffirms her commitment to working with George W. Bush Institute to fight Reproductive Health Cancers

 Former First Lady of Tanzania Mama Salma Kikwete earlier today held talks with Ms. Natalie Gonnella - Platts and Toun Olateju who paid a courtesy call to WAMA Foundation offices at Kawe area in Dar es salaam. Natalie works with the 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 curbing  the spread and morbidness 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 looking  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 health services, awareness becomes a very important strategy in mobilizing masses to come forward and utilize screening and treatment services from early signs. We are also keen to continue working with other partners to roll-out vaccination to young girls” Mama Kikwete said. 

Mr. Daudi Nasib, WAMA Executive Secretary on his part explained WAMA’s resolve 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 engaging herself in  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 Country Programs of Pink Ribbon Red Ribbon manager expressed her great appreciation to the WAMA Foundation Chairperson, Mama Salma Kikwete and staff for their  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 of the First Ladies Initiative from the George W. Bush Institute added that Mrs. Laura Bush was very active and eager to continued 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.  

 H.E. Former First Lady of Tanzania Mama Salma Kikwete earlier in talks witn  Ms. Natalie Gonnella - Platts and Toun Olateju who paid a visit to WAMA Foundation offices at Kawe are in Dar es salaam. Right is Mr. Daudi Nasib, WAMA Executive Secretary.

H.E. Former First Lady of Tanzania Mama Salma Kikwete shakes hands with Ms. Toun Olateju,  Country  Manager of Programs of  the Pink Ribbon Red Ribbon 

H.E. Former First Lady of Tanzania Mama Salma Kikwete with Ms. Natalie Gonnella - Platts of the First Ladies Initiative and Ms. Toun Olateju,  Country  Manager of Programs of  the Pink Ribbon Red Ribbon