The Global Community Advisory Group (GCAG) provides a forum for global civil society, advocates and other stakeholders to engage and liaise with the ECHO Study team about the conduct of the trial, share stakeholders’ concerns and discuss how the broader issues related to hormonal contraception and the possible link to an increased risk of HIV acquisition may affect the study.
Anna Forbes, Independent Consultant, USA
A writer, policy analyst, organizer and women’s health activist, Anna 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.
Definate Nhamo, Senior Program Manager, Pangaea Zimbabwe Aid Trust (PZAT), Zimbabwe
Definate 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.
Emily Bass, 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.
Georgina Caswell, 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.
Engwase Mwale, Executive Director, NGOCC, Zambia
An advocate for gender equality and equity in Zambia, Getrude 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.
Jacqui Wambui, Program Officer in Advocacy, 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).
Juliet Akumu, Advocate, SAUTI SKIKA, Kenya.
Juliet is an advocate for adolescent HIV and SRHR. She currently works for SAUTI SKIKA a non-profit organization based in Kenya. She works with girls and young women in Mombasa county, with the aim of empowering them to make informed and healthy choices regarding their sexuality.
Lebogang Motsumi, Advocate, South Africa
An advocate for the rights of young women living with HIV, Lebogang 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.
Lilian Morweko, Executive Director, ICW, Uganda
Lilian Morweko Lillian is a gender, human rights and women’s rights advocate. Lillian pioneered and established networks including the National Forum of People living with HIV Networks in Uganda (NAFOPHANU), the International Community of Women Living with HIV Eastern Africa (ICWEA) – an advocacy network that has created a dent on the International, Region and National response. She has openly challenge any forms of human rights violations, stigma and discrimination and criminalization of HIV. Lillian has been at the forefront of fighting for a favorable legal and policy environment in Uganda that ensures all human beings access and enjoy their full rights including access to information, education, treatment and prevention services, and social justice. She has been at the forefront of challenging the gender norms, gender based and domestic violence that act as structural barriers to an AIDS-free generation.
Margaret Happy, Communication and Advocacy Officer, 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.
Sibongile Maseko, 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.
Siphiwe Vilakati, Executive Director, Super Buddies, Swaziland
Siphiwe Vilakati is the Founder and Executive Director of the Super Buddies Club, a nonprofit organisation that promotes the participation of adolescents and youth in the fight against HIV and AIDS and violation of SRH rights in Swaziland. Her interests include social behaviour change for prevention of gender-based violence against young women and girls and HIV prevention for girls and young women.
Teresia Njoki Otieno, Global Chairperson, ICW, North America and ATHENA Network
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.
Tyler Crone, Co-Founder and Director, ATHENA Network
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 and 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.
Yvette Raphael, Advocate, Centre for Communication Impact (formerly JHHESA)
Yvette 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.