Source: Thomson Reuters Foundation
U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama challenged African countries on Tuesday to invest in women's education as a way to free them from poverty and allow them to make meaningful economic contributions to their nations.

Obama appeared with former U.S. First Lady Laura Bush at the opening of a two-day African First Ladies Summit here centered on the theme "Investing in women: Strengthening Africa."

Obama spoke of her childhood and the importance her parents put on education.

"I was a girl who grew up on the South Side of Chicago," she said, referring to one of that city's poorest areas. "My parents didn't have much money, but they invested in my education," she said, adding that her parents invested in her education as equally as they did in that of her brother.

"And as a result of that training and preparation I have had opportunities, and I am sitting here right now as the first lady of the United States of America because of education," she said.

Obama said first ladies have a unique opportunity to make a difference in their countries. "We get to work on what we're passionate about. And I think that that's something that I would encourage all first ladies to never lose sight of. You have an opportunity to speak to your passions and to really design and be very strategic about the issues you care most about," she said.

The summit, organised by the George W. Bush Institute in collaboration with ExxonMobil, is being attended first ladies from dozens of African countries, as well as by Cherie Blair, wife of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, and founder of the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women.

In her remarks, Laura Bush said promoting the role of women was important to help countries gain prosperity and stability.

"We're highlighting support for women at this summit because at all levels and in all parts of society, women play a critical role," Bush said.

The focus of the summit is on empowering women economically and socially by providing better access to health, education and financial services.

Research indicates that when women have access to the right tools, training and opportunities they can be a driving force behind broader economic and social development.

In his opening remarks Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete urged African countries to recognize the important role of women in society by empowering them economically so that they can better tackle challenges in their daily lives.

He acknowledged that it is sometimes difficult for women to realise their potential. "The theme of this summit has come at a right time. Women are the backbone of the family, so investing in women is not optional but a matter of priority," he said.

"Investing in women will also help them access quality health care, education and access to credit. Once they are empowered, countries will be assured of food security increased productivity and improved health resulting in the development of the country," Kikwete said.

While he showered praise to African women for their enormous contribution in wealth creation in their countries, he noted that they don't control a large share of the wealth they have created due to the unfairness of a system dominated by men.

According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), most women in Africa do not have the same access to the financing, land, education and technology available to men.

The FAO suggests that getting rid of gender disparity would boost food production by up to four percent in developing countries and lift over 150 million people out of hunger. Such gains would help many African nations, where explosive population growth threatens the continent's food supply.

 

Former U.S. First Lady Laura Bush (L) sits next to current U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama (C) and moderator Cokie Roberts (R) at the African First Ladies Summit in Dar Es Salaam July 2, 2013. REUTERS/Gary Cameron