The First Lady of the Republic, Ms. Sophia Martelly has actively participated in various activities that marked the 66th session of the General Assembly of the United Nations (UN) in New York from September, 21 to 30 2011.

Apart from the official meetings, related to these assizes and to which she accompanied the President of the Republic, Ms. Martelly took part in the meetings of First Ladies of the members of this hemispheric organization, meetings which have given rise to debates and discussions on topics related to education, health, the issue of Gender, to the Economic and Social.

The meeting of First Ladies focused on developing mechanisms to put the new communication technologies in the service of health and of the economy in rural areas. They discussed, in addition, of the numerous problems that affect people around the world. They explored possible solutions to reduce the overall vulnerability of women, children and have raised the issue of their involvement in the orientation of social policy of Heads of State.

With Ms. Michelle Bachelet of UN Women, Ms. Martelly spoke of the important role played by women in modern societies and the need to continue the struggle for its independence and for its full integration in the spheres of the state and of power.

In addition, Ms. Martelly had a special meeting with the Executive Director of World Food Programme (WFP), Ms. Josette Sheeran, in which she presented the project "ABA GRANGOU", initiated by the Presidency and managed by the Office of the First Lady, which consists in offering food assistance to needy people in the country. To this end, Ms. Martelly has to go shortly to Brazil to explore this model of assistance that is already in use in this country.

Being to her first participation in the circle of First Ladies, Ms. Martelly has benefited of a sustained attention from its counterparts that she did not fail to thank for their support to her and to the Haitian people.

"Be a mother of four children and wake up one day, mother of ten million people, requires strength and courage," declared Ms. Sophia Martelly, who was already committed in social in Haiti before taking this role. According to the First Lady, her participation in this 66th General Assembly of the United Nations, gave her more motivation to continue her noble work, that to accompany the Head of State in his mission to improve the living conditions of the population.

HL/ HaïtiLibre