Bush’s to Focus on Improving Lives of Women and Girls During Namibia Visit

Former US President George W. Bush and Former First Lady Laura Bush will visit Namibia and Botswana from April 4 – 6, 2017. “The trip will highlight the Bush Institute- affiliated Pink Ribbon Red Ribbon which is a global partnership to fight women’s cancers, in addition the Bush Institutes First lady Initiative, which engages and supports first ladies from around the world to effectively use their unique platforms to advance issues for women and girls,” said Eric Atkins US Embassy Public Affairs Officer.
This will be President Bush’s seventh visit and Mrs. Bush’s sixth visit to the African continent since their time in the White House. Their previous travel included visits to other Pink Ribbon Red Ribbon partner countries Zambia, Tanzania, Botswana, and Ethiopia. This is their first trip to Namibia and second trip to Botswana in the post-Presidency.
– In his 2003 State of the Union Address, then-President Bush announced the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) to combat global HIV/AIDS. Since 2003, the U.S. government has dedicated US$1.3 billion to the fight against HIV/AIDS in Namibia, saving thousands of Namibian lives.
– In 2002, President Bush called for “a new compact for global development” and launched the Millennium Challenge Account, which from 2009 to 2014 provided more than US$300 million in Namibia toward education, tourism, and agriculture projects.
– The George W. Bush Institute embarked upon the Pink Ribbon Red Ribbon initiative to bring together both public and private investment to fight cervical and breast cancer in Africa.

Spotlight News sat down with said Eric Atkins US Embassy Public Affairs Officer on:
– The aims and objectives of the Bush’s visit to Namibia,
– Their role in tackling health issues in Africa,
– As well as planned initiatives for the advancement of women and girls in Namibia.

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-Maggie Forcelledo