Khadijah Aliyu -Nigeria
The third day of the 2025 Galien Africa Forum placed women at the heart of Africa’s health transformation, spotlighting their indispensable role in achieving health sovereignty and equality across the continent.
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The Women’s Forum, themed “Women’s Leadership: A Transformative Driver for Equal Rights and Universal Access to Health in Africa, was declared open by Senegal’s First Lady, who highlighted the vital importance of women’s leadership in building stronger, more inclusive health systems.
“When women are at the frontline as decision-makers, the continent is stronger,” she said, calling for greater inclusion of women in national health and development agendas.
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She reminded delegates that women are often “the first actors in health, home, and several spaces,” yet remain underrepresented in key decision-making positions. “When women are committed, they will spearhead every destiny beyond borders,” she added.
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According to her, empowering women in leadership is not only a question of fairness but a strategic investment in sustainability.
“When a society invests in health, it lays the foundation for its nation,” she emphasized, urging African leaders to prioritize women in the pursuit of health sovereignty.
Earlier in her opening address, Professor Awa Marie Coll-Seck, President of Galien Africa, welcomed participants with a strong call to action, stressing that Africa’s health resilience depends on the power of women.
“There is no health sovereignty without strong and bold women,” she said. “They are the first to provide care, mobilize communities, and build trust they are the foundation of any sustainable health system.”
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Professor Coll-Seck described investment in women as “an investment in prevention, resilience, and stronger families,” noting that empowering women directly translates into healthier communities and more prosperous nations.
The Women’s Forum is one of the key sessions of the Galien Africa Forum 2025, which has brought together global health leaders, policymakers, innovators, and youth advocates in Dakar to explore strategies for achieving Africa’s health independence through homegrown solutions and inclusive leadership.