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Independent Consultant, USA

A writer, policy analyst, organizer and women’s health activist, Anna Forbes has worked in HIV/AIDS continuously since 1985 and is now an independent consultant with an international client list. Her work centers on women, HIV, health and rights. Her sub-specialty is advocacy for greater and more meaningful inclusion of sex workers in HIV/AIDS services planning and policy generally, and in prevention specifically.

Senior Program Manager, Pangaea Zimbabwe Aid Trust (PZAT), Zimbabwe 

Definate Nhamo is an advocate for comprehensive HIV prevention options for young women and their integration into sexual and reproductive health programs in Zimbabwe. She documented the perspectives of young women and pushed for consolidated national guidelines that reflect their needs. She has also worked with researchers and civil society members to prepare for microbicide trial results.

Director of Strategy and Content, AVAC, USA

Emily Bass is an advocate and strategist with twenty years of experience focusing on a rights-based response to HIV prevention and treatment. At AVAC, she has collaboratively developed and led a range of initiatives focused on advancing women’s sexual and reproductive rights including the UN Women-commissioned Global Review of Women’s Access to Antiretroviral Treatment, and the AVAC-ICW EA co-convened Civil Society Advocacy Group on Hormonal Contraception and HIV, which was established in 2014 as a forum for African women and their allies. Emily was a member of the WHO Expert Review Group that, in December 2016, reviewed available information on hormonal contraception and HIV as part of the WHO process for updating its classification of progestogen-only contraceptives. 

Programme Manager, International HIV/AIDS Alliance, South Africa

Georgina Caswell has dedicated her career to working with people living with HIV, advocating for social justice, HIV, sexual and reproductive health and rights, youth empowerment and gender equality through policy and community engagement.

Executive Director, Non-governmental Gender Organisations’ Coordinating Council (NGOCC), Zambia

Engwase Mwale is an advocate for gender equality and equity in Zambia. Engwase focuses on community mobilisation in both rural and urban settings. This work has contributed to her engagement with women of diverse backgrounds, especially having undergone training in advocacy and citizen engagement, gender and development, and community reporting for impact.

Program Officer in Advocacy, National Empowerment Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS NEPHAK, Kenya 

Jacqueline Wambui is a human right’s activist with a special interest in sexual and reproductive health and treatment optimization for young people living with HIV. She works with communities in Kenya to encourage people living with HIV to live positively. In 2012, she was awarded an AVAC fellowship on Health Gap/National Empowerment Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Kenya (NEPHAK). She represents Kenya on the African Community Advisory Board (AFROCAB).

Advocate, Sauti Skika, Kenya 

Juliet Akumu is an advocate for adolescent HIV and sexual and reproductive health and rights. Her passion is empowering girls and young women on how to make informed and healthy choices regarding their sexuality.

HIV Advocate, South Africa

Lebogang Motsumi is an advocate for the rights of young women living with HIV. She voluntarily runs a support group at a hospital which she hopes will grow to accommodate more clients and patients. She zealously promotes abstinence and defiance of peer pressure amongst young people.

Communication and Advocacy Officer, International Community of Women living with HIV Eastern Africa (ICW), Uganda

Margaret Happy has over 15 years' demonstrated and successful experience in advocacy, resources mobilisation, and mainstreaming cross-cutting issues, as well as strategic organizational development for efficiency, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and high performance for equality of women and men in realizing their personal aspirations.

Independent Consultant, Swaziland

Sibongile Maseko is an epidemiologist based in Swaziland. She has served in various capacities, including academic posts and as Senior Epidemiologist in the Ministry of Health in Swaziland. She previously led the country chapter of Mothers 2Mothers in Swaziland, focusing on sexual and reproductive health, HIV and early childhood and development.

Global Chair, International Community of Women living with HIV Eastern Africa (ICW) Kenya

Teresia Otieno is an advocate for gender equality and sexual and reproductive health and rights, especially for women living with HIV. She is passionate about promoting HIV prevention strategies that work for women and girls and has worked across continents to mentor others and harness the mobilising power of grassroots women's groups. As a 2014 AVAC Fellow, Teresa advocated for the inclusion of PrEP in the Kenya Strategic Plan and guidelines development. She is a founding member of Personal Initiative for Positive Empowerment (PIPE), coordinates projects for ICW North America and works as a consultant with ATHENA Network on community engagement, gender equality and women’s rights within and outside of the HIV movement.

Co-founder and Director, ATHENA Network, USA

Tyler Crone is a human rights lawyer by training who co-founded and directs the ATHENA network. She focuses on gender, human rights, HIV and sexual reproductive health and rights. Since 2001, Tyler has worked extensively with civil society partners and UN family members to strengthen women’s meaningful participation in the AIDS response, particularly by women living with HIV.

Human Rights Activist, Centre for Communication Impact (formerly JHHESA)

Yvette  Raphael is a human rights activist with a focus on people living with HIV (PLWHIV), young women and lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer and intersex (LGBTQI) communities. She has worked in HIV/AIDS education in the safety and security sector and founded two empowerment and support organizations for PLWHIV.