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** AVAC Fellows Took Charge on World AIDS Day
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December 14, 2022

Dear Advocate,

World AIDS Day ([link removed]) is a day to remember and reflect, but it can also be a day to intensify advocacy, which was the case for many of our 2022 AVAC Advocacy Fellows ([link removed]) .

From broadcast interviews, to an open forum on religion and sexuality, to a symposium attended by the Prime Minister of Lesotho, AVAC Fellows ([link removed]) took World AIDS Day to task with a day of conversation and advocacy. Check out highlights from the day below.

Ruth Akulu, who is hosted at ICWE/EA in Uganda, ([link removed]) took on several broadcast interviews including Radio City and UBC TV to share perspective as someone living with HIV and to discuss the latest advances and opportunities in HIV prevention. These media appearances were supported by the Uganda AIDS Commission ([link removed]) .
Pictured: Ruth Akulu and Radio City staff.

Onward Chironda ([link removed]) , hosted by GALZ in Zimbabwe, ([link removed]) organized a media cafe ([link removed]) to launch a series discussing religion and sexuality, featuring religious leaders and members of the LGBTQ+ community. Read more about the event here ([link removed]) .
Pictured: Reverend Maxwell Kapachawo in “Digital Conversation on: RELIGION, SEX & SEXUALITY”

Catherine Madebe ([link removed]) participated in a panel discussion with the US Ambassador to the United Republic of Tanzania, Donald Wright, as they discussed youth priorities and challenges in HIV prevention and gender-based violence. Catherine offers perspective on where prevention is in Tanzania here ([link removed]) .
Pictured: Catherine Madebe (second in on right) with Ambassador Wright and community members and PEPFAR leaders.

Prince Mikel Juao ([link removed]) , hosted by Lesbians Intersex Trans and other Extensions (LITE) in Malawi, organized an event in Mzuzu to educate communities on new HIV prevention technologies such as injectable CAB for PrEP ([link removed]) , the dapivirine vaginal ring, and HIV self test kits.
Pictured: A healthcare worker demonstrating how to use an HIV self-test kit.

Natasha Mwila ([link removed]) and her host organization, The Network of Zambian People Living with HIV/AIDS (NZP+), commemorated World AIDS Day by distributing condoms and sharing information about additional HIV prevention strategies.

Pictured: Natasha Mwila (second in on right) and The Network of Zambian People Living with HIV/AIDS (NZP+) staff.

Pictured: Clever Chilende (2012 fellow), Esnart Sikazindu (2020), Chilufya Hampongo (2016 fellow), and Natasha Mwila (2022)

Peter Katleho Ntheri and his host, Lesotho Network of AIDS Service Organization ([link removed]) (LENASO) collaborated with the National AIDS Commission and other AIDS-service partners for a World AIDS Day symposium in recognition of the community’s progress in ending the epidemic. Lesotho Prime Minister Sam Matekane attended this event!
Pictured: Lesotho King Letsie III and Prime Minister Sam Matekane attending the Lesotho Network of AIDS Service Organization symposium with NAC Executive Director Mamello Letsie.

Elizabeth Atieno Onyango ([link removed]) , who is hosted by the Coast Sex Workers Alliance in Kenya (COSWA-Kenya) collaborated with organizations such as Reachout Center Trust and HIV/AIDS People Alliance (HAPA-Kenya) to voice concerns around the lack of HIV prevention options in their communities. Their main message was saidia usiadhibu which means “support, don't punish” in Swahili.
Pictured: Elizabeth Atieno Onyango at a World AIDS Day event in Kwa Khanyayo, Kenya.

Liyema Somnono ([link removed]) hosted by Passionate Unlimited Peers in Action (PUPA) ([link removed]) with the help of both government and non-governmental organizations hosted a World AIDS Day event in a hard-to-reach rural area called Kwa Khanyayo where community members were offered clinical services and HIV education. Liyema shared information on the dapivirine vaginal ring ([link removed]) and held a Q&A session on PrEP.

Pictured: Community members in Kwa Khanyayo receiving HIV-related services and education.

To learn more about the AVAC Advocacy Fellows program and the work and achievements of our 2022 class as well as the past 11 years of Fellows, visit the AVAC Fellows page ([link removed]) on the AVAC website.

Best,
AVAC

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