Governance

Ulanda Mtamba is an experienced development practitioner and the Executive Director of the GEM organization. She is a passionate advocate for Health, Human Rights, Gender, and Education for girls and young women. Ulanda is an accomplished leader with 20 years’ experience and has been recognized by several organizations for her outstanding work, including being one of the BBC’s 100 Women for 2023, one of the 100 Inspiring Women 2024 Season II by the Wealth Woman, and the first-ever female President of the Rotary Club of Limbe. Ulanda is a 2018 AVAC fellow with a wealth of knowledge in biomedical HIV prevention. She also sits on various Global Health Boards advocating for HIV Prevention CHOICE for girls and young women. Additionally, she is a member of several Committees, including the College of Medicine Research and Ethics Committee (COMREC) Africa Women Accountability, and Community Advisory Board, and Amplify Girls’ Board. Ulanda holds a Masters degree in Business Administration, an International Diploma in Project Management from Cambridge University, and a Chartered Marketer designation from the Chartered Institute of Marketing.

“AWPCAB stands confidently as a beacon of hope, uniting diverse women and boldly challenging the status quo in HIV prevention research to adopt a human-centered and human rights-based approach to choice.”

Chilufya Kasanda is a social development professional with extensive experience in HIV programming, advocacy, community mobilization, gender transformative programming, and stakeholder coordination. She holds a bachelor’s degree in development studies from the University of Zambia, an AVAC Fellowship and the MOTH Community Program alumni and is currently Program Officer for HIV Prevention and Research at Treatment Advocacy and Literacy Campaign. Throughout her career, Chilufya has successfully contributed to HIV prevention and PrEP integration advocacy especially for adolescent girls and young women in Zambia. Chilufya is passionate about social justice, health equity, empowerment, and ending the epidemic. She actively engages in professional networks like the IMPOWER/INSIGHT study Global Community Advisory Group, Long-Acting PrEP Coalition Caucus as a CSO Rep, ViiV Healthcare Africa HIV Prevention Community Advisory Board, the African Women Prevention Community Accountability Board, Vaccine Community Advisory Board and the Young Women’s HIV Prevention Council as Co-Chair. Chilufya continues to make a significant impact in the HIV response through her dedication to advancing knowledge, driving innovation and mentor ship of young people under the Ascend Youth Initiative.

Shakirah Namwanje, Uganda is the Executive Director ACTS101 Uganda and Co Chair for the Young Women’s HIV Prevention Council with mileage of HIV and SRHR Advocacy Specializing in HIV Prevention and Research Advocacy, Advocacy for Cure Research and SRHR with emphasis on Young people. She was an AVAC Fellow in 2019, Omolou Falobi Communities Award runner up in 2020, and she was awarded Heroes In Health Award of HIV Leader of the year 2022 in Uganda by the Ministry of Health.

“AWPCAB is power to women in Africa. Confronting fears so our young girls to come won’t have to!!! This us telling everyone what we want and how we want!!! What really matters and holding everything everyone accountable while we are at it.”

Based in Nairobi, Kenya. Works closely with WACI Health colleagues by leading advocacy efforts on specific advocacy priorities, representing WACI Health to high profile policymakers, practitioners, think-tanks, academic partners, the media and the public; working closely with ACTION Global Health Partnership advocates to support the development of WACI Health advocacy strategies and activities on ACTION-related priority issues; working closely with partners to develop coordinated advocacy and public campaigns on WACI Health priority themes and countries; manage Policy and Advocacy temporary staff and Interns. Joyce is a Registered Community Health Nurse in Kenya with undergraduate training in Health Systems Management.

Definate Nhamo is a PhD candidate, an advocate and HIV prevention specialist, who is passionate about increasing access to HIV prevention options, choice and reducing new HIV infections. Women and Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW), are close to Definate’s heart.

Grace is a Regional Program Manager at AVAC supporting partners to implement advocacy and health equity programs to amplify community voices in HIV prevention research and development. With over 10 years strategic leadership experience, she served as Chief-of-Party leading the implementation of PEPFAR funded Local Endeavors for HIV Prevention and Treatment Intervention & DREAMS under Pakachere Institute for Health and Development Communication, shaping organizational vision and strategic plan and supporting business development and other core functions of the organization. She holds of Master of Arts Degree from University of Witwatersrand (2007), South Africa, a Bachelor of Arts Degree (humanities)from the University of Malawi (2005) and currently studying towards a Master of Science in international public health with University of Liverpool Mores University. She has been awarded several fellowships over the years including AVAC bio-medical prevention advocate fellow (2017), Perennial Leadership Fellow (2021) and Global Change Leadership Fellow (2015). She serves as a member of several global level research committees including CROI Community Liaison Subcommittee and PrEP Steering Committee at The Forum

Born from Nyanga in the Western cape, Cape Town known for violence and whose passion comes from experiencing sexual violence from a very young age, Nomfundo “Nono” is a gender and human rights activist, passionate about community and women empowerment.

Nomfundo (Nono) Eland is an activist with a particular interest in women’s rights and Gender Based Violence. She has extensive experience in issues around sexual and reproductive health, and HIV and community development work.  She leads Emthonjeni Counselling and Training, a non-governmental organisation that focuses on women’s and young girls’ empowerment in Cape Town since 2010. She is also a former AVAC HIV Prevention Research Advocacy Fellow. A professional Life Coach , programme manager with over 20 years experience. A former South African National AIDS Council Women Sector Chairperson and renown international speaker of HIV and Gender Based Violence. Advocate for Female Condoms and Microbicides.

“For me it is a Voice of Reason on matters of HIV Prevention Globally. The only in and out of boardroom advocacy voice thats seeks accountability from both civil society, policy makers and scientist.”

“AWPCAB is us, is women! we are giving back to the people, to our children and the next generation. We see you, we hear you and we are here to make sure you, our children and grand children tell a better story than we told. A story of laughter, smiles, a story of love! A story of celebration. AWPCAB is an investment, that us your mothers didnt have money, but we fought for your lives using our voices!”