Fellows & Alumni

Chisomo is working in coalition to jumpstart Malawi’s PrEP program, which has been stalled in the demonstration phase of rollout.

"In 2019, my goal is to influence the Malawi government to consider adolescent girls and young women as a priority population for PrEP rollout."

Mandisa is advocating for improved community access to HIV prevention and strengthened linkages to care for those testing positive, with a focus on those in serodiscordant relationships.

"PrEP and microbicides, as part of the prevention package, could do a whole lot of good for the sex worker community, considering the risk associated with our work."

Engaged stakeholders around biomedical HIV prevention research and advocacy within trial communities and the broader civil society in Uganda, with a focus on MDP 301

Documented issues/challenges arising in VMMC roll out in Nyanza Province in Kenya, through a photography documentary in order to address knowledge, attitudes and gaps in scale up efforts

Built a cadre of journalists who consistently, accurately and responsibly reported on HIV prevention research; and created linkages and facilitated a favorable research environment in Zambia – especially after the MDP301 experience

"I want to ensure that everyone eligible to use PrEP has access to the drugs and accompanying services regardless of geographic or economic limitations."

“Government and key stakeholders need resources to monitor treatment. Advocacy for these resources and their proper allocation is a critical first step.”

“Malawi needs advocacy to address women and sex workers’ access to burgeoning biomedical prevention like microbicides.”

"It is about empowering individuals and communities to ensure inclusive policies are put in place to end the pandemic."

"Closing the tap of new HIV infections requires comprehensive and inclusive programming - leaving no one behind."

Lobbied for the adoption of PrEP as part of combination prevention especially for discordant couples, MSM and sex workers in Kenya

“My motivation is driven by the possibility that we can end AIDS by 2030 and that women all over the world can have prevention tools within their control as currently they are sitting ducks for infection due to biological, social and cultural reasons.”

"My advocacy will focus on contributing towards the overall reduction of new HIV infections among adolescent girls, women and high-risk groups."

Documented an understanding of what prevention trial results mean for women—from tenofovir gel to hormonal contraceptive impact on HIV risk, and used that evidence to influence government action

"I would like to undertake an advocacy project for a rights-based approach to partner notification among female sex workers."

“Uganda is one of the few countries with high rates of new HIV infections not on the decline. To reverse this trend, the country should implement treatment as prevention with viral load monitoring as a requisite tool.”

Documented lessons learned on VMMC for HIV prevention implementation and laid the ground for ARV-based HIV prevention advocacy in Uganda

"More than ever we need as many voices as possible at the forefront to advocate for those who don't have voices or are not heard in Uganda."

“Laws that criminalize sex work in Kenya and all over the world make sex workers vulnerable to new HIV infections. PrEP and microbicide could help empower them to protect themselves from HIV in these climates of hardship.”

“I believe that PrEP would reduce the spread of HIV especially among adolescent girls and young women and sex workers.”

"My advocacy to ensure the ECHO trial results are properly prepared, disseminated and understood will be of help to all women of reproductive age in Kenya."

Optimized the benefits of ARVs for both treatment and prevention, and ensured that global treatment plans support and recognize individual human rights of PLHIV, including mothers considering Option B+

Esnart is advocating for community-centered PrEP delivery, with a focus on adolescent girls and young women.

Listened to the voices of PLWHIV in South Africa in considering the feasibility of rolling out treatment as prevention in South Africa

Strengthened community engagement efforts within trial sites and communities, influenced relevant polices and guidelines and explored key ethical issues in trials