My Fifth Trip to Africa

Dr. Jill Biden and Finnegan Biden wave to students assembled on the railings after a girls education event at the St. Joseph’s Secondary School, in Freetown, Sierra Leone, July 7, 2014. (Official White House Photo by David Lienemann)

Today, I depart for Ethiopia, Malawi, and Niger. Throughout my travels across the continent, I hope to shine a light on the importance of girls’ education and women’s empowerment, as well as our partnerships on global health and food security to reduce hunger and lift people out of poverty.

This will be my fifth trip to Africa as Second Lady of the United States.

In 2010, I traveled to Nairobi, Kenya and visited the Starehe Girls’ Centre — a remarkable boarding school that provides educational opportunities for women and girls in Kenya. At the school, young women are trained in academics, athletics, arts, and agriculture — giving girls across Kenya the tools they need to rise to their fullest potential.

I also toured the Kibera community in Nairobi where the quality of life is nearly unimaginable — there is no electricity in the homes, and little access to running water. But it’s where I met some of the bravest women and girls that I will never forget, who are fighting to change the circumstances for their community.

Dr. Jill Biden and Senator Bill Frist visit the Dagahaley refugee camp, in Dadaab, Kenya, August 8, 2011. (Official White House Photo by David Lienemann)

In 2011, amid the worst drought that East Africa had seen in 60 years, I visited a refugee camp in Dadaab, Kenya to underscore the United States’ unwavering commitment to working with local governments and the larger international community to invest in solutions to end hunger and food insecurity throughout the region, *as well as show our support for the plight of refugees and the challenges faced by countries that host them.

In 2014, I traveled to Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Sierra Leone to meet with government and civil society leaders to discuss the importance of advancing gender equality for women and girls all around the world. I also visited the Panzi Hospital in the Democratic Republic of Congo — where I met Dr. Denis Mukwege who is working to fight the widespread problem of sexual and gender-based violence faced by millions of women and children face.

Dr. Jill Biden speaks to survivors of Gender Based Violence, in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo, July 5, 2014. Also pictured are; (from Dr. Biden’s right) granddaughter Finnegan Biden; Dr. Denis Mukwege, Physician and Medical Director at Panzi Hospital. (Official White House Photo by David Lienemann)

In 2014, I also traveled to Morocco with my husband Joe, the Vice President, where I delivered remarks at the Global Entrepreneurship Summit Women’s Day.

I have been fortunate in my last four trips to Africa to meet with so many amazing men and women who are helping to improve the conditions for people of both genders all around the world. During my travels over the next few days, I hope to share images and stories of these bold women and girls, community leaders and international organizations working together to build a better life — a better future — for more women, girls and their families throughout the region.

I hope to share this incredible experience with you on social media. You can follow along on Twitter @DrBiden, on Instagram @DrBiden, and on Snapchat @StateDept for the latest updates from our travels across Africa.

— Jill