Madonna to partner with First Lady in Beyond Zero initiative

Pop icon Madonna Ciccone (left) with First Lady Margaret Kenyatta at State House, Nairobi, on July 4, 2016. The pop artiste is in the country to explore for practical programmes that have a transformative impact on vulnerable groups. PHOTO | PSCU

What you need to know:

  • Madonna described the First Lady's undertaking as an amazing movement that seeks to end gender-based violence through education and awareness building.

Music icon Madonna has said she will partner with First Lady Margaret Kenyatta's Beyond Zero campaign in scaling up maternal and child health programmes.

Speaking at State House, Nairobi, Madonna pointed out that her and the First Lady have a common agenda of protecting women and children.

The pop artiste is in the country to explore for practical programmes that have a transformative impact on vulnerable groups, especially women and children.

Her establishments are Ray of Hope Foundation and Raising Malawi Organisation, managed by the Global Philanthropy Group.

Madonna described the First Lady's undertaking as an amazing movement that seeks to end gender-based violence through education and awareness building.

She commended the First Lady’s leadership role and capacity to drive social change and scale up accessibility and equity in health matters.

Madonna told a story of a lady residing in Kibera slum, Nairobi, called Mama Sofie who has overcome many odds to raise her 14 children - in a 10 by 10 feet room.

The First Lady acknowledged Madonna’s social work and called for more collaborations.

She also said that when health workers receive reports of gender-based violence, they will relay the information to the relevant authorities.

Madonna’s pledge to work with the First Lady’s Beyond Zero initiative comes only a few days after Melinda Gates, the co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, expressed similar interest.

Editing by Philip Momanyi