Brigitte Touadéra
Brigitte Touadéra, First Lady of the Central African Republic (CAR), began her professional journey in the private sector, working in auditing and advisory services at PricewaterhouseCoopers in Bangui. Her commitment to social issues led her to the field of reproductive health, where she served as Secretary General of the White Ribbon Alliance of Central Africa, a global coalition supported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) dedicated to promoting safe motherhood. In this role, she collaborated with national and local authorities to combat maternal and neonatal mortality, notably through accelerated campaigns aimed at reducing maternal deaths.
Humanitarian Initiatives and Advocacy
Brigitte Touadéra founded the “Cri de Cœur d’une Mère” (Cry of a Mother’s Heart) Foundation, focusing on maternal and child health, women’s rights, and social welfare. One of the foundation’s significant campaigns, “Naître libre pour briller” (“Born Free to Shine”), launched in 2019, aims to reduce maternal, neonatal, and infant mortality rates in CAR. The initiative seeks to mobilize resources from national and international partners to support reproductive health and combat HIV/AIDS.
In 2024, as the patron of the Center for Research and Treatment of Sickle Cell Disease in Bangui, she spearheaded awareness and screening campaigns for World Sickle Cell Day. She appealed to partners and donors to support the center’s operations, including the provision of essential infrastructure like a water tower.
International Engagement and Recognition
Brigitte Touadéra has represented CAR on international platforms, such as the Eurasian Women’s Forum in Saint Petersburg in 2024, where she highlighted the challenges faced by women in CAR due to security and economic issues. She emphasized the country’s commitment to international agreements on women’s and children’s rights.
Her efforts have been recognized with several awards, including the Africanity Trophy in 2023, honoring her dedication to reducing maternal mortality and promoting gender equality in Africa.
Partnerships and Programs
Since 2016, Brigitte Touadéra has partnered with the Merck Foundation as an ambassador for the “More Than a Mother” campaign, addressing infertility stigma and empowering women. Through this collaboration, scholarships have been provided to doctors in oncology and diabetes, and programs like “Empowering Berna” and “Educating Linda” have been launched to support infertile women and underprivileged girls, respectively.
Personal Life
Brigitte Touadéra is married to President Faustin-Archange Touadéra. Together, they have engaged in various social initiatives, including hosting over 1,000 children from low-income families at the presidential palace for Christmas celebrations in 2024.
Legacy
Brigitte Touadéra’s multifaceted role as First Lady encompasses advocacy for women’s health, children’s rights, and social welfare. Her initiatives have significantly contributed to addressing critical health issues and promoting gender equality in the Central African Republic.
- 23 December 1970
- Central African Republic
- President Faustin-Archange Touadéra
- 30 March 2016 - Present
