This Thursday, June 27, 2024, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde attended the presentation of the Africa Prize of the King Baudouin Foundation. This prize is awarded every two years to African organizations that sustainably transform the lives of people in Africa. Queen Mathilde wore an ethnic Odile Jacobs dress appropriate for the event.
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The 2024 Africa Prize is awarded to Her Initiative
The Africa Prize 2024 was awarded this Thursday during a ceremony at the Castle of Laeken. The King and Queen of the Belgians welcomed to their residence the representatives of the NGO Her Initiative, which won this prize awarded by the King Baudouin Foundation. The foundation explains that it awards “a special focus on initiatives that address Africa’s challenges in a transformative way, those that empower people to take charge of their future.”
After the Somali organization Elman Peace in 2022 and the Nigerian initiative Wecyclers in 2020, it is the Tanzanian organization Her Initiative which wins this exceptional prize, with a support amount of 200,000 euros. In Tanzania, around 60% of women live below their country’s poverty line, although efforts are being made to help them empower themselves. Her Initiative, a young women-led organization, is working to do just that, offering innovative programs that provide young women with the education, skills and resources needed to enter the workforce or run their own businesses.
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Queen Mathilde in a creation by Odile Jacobs to reward a Tanzanian organization
King Philippe and Queen Mathilde attended the ceremony, in the presence of the independent selection committee, composed of 12 international experts. Queen Mathilde wore an African-inspired dress by designer Odile Jacobs. The Bruges brand Mrs Jacobs offers clothing inspired by African culture. Queen Mathilde had already worn this blue dress during her state visit to South Africa in March 2023. She completed her outfit with red pumps that matched her red Furla handbag. Her earrings are from Angela Caputi.
Thanks to the significant financial support of the King Baudouin Foundation and the solid network that the foundation makes available to the winner, Her Initiative aims to “reach 100,000 additional women over the next five years”ensures the foundation. “Her Initiative will also use the funds to create an ecosystem of young organizations, facilitating the sharing of knowledge and resources, and strengthening the empowerment of African youth.”
