February 14, 2019
AVAC is delighted to announce the 2019 AVAC Advocacy Fellows – the 10th class of the Fellows Program!
AVAC’s Advocacy Fellows Program was launched in 2009 to expand the capacity of advocates and organizations to monitor, support and help shape biomedical HIV prevention research and implementation in countries where research is ongoing and/or new interventions are being rolled out. The program is guided by AVAC’s commitment to effective and sustainable advocacy that grows from organizational and individual interests, priorities and partnerships.
In the 10 years of the program, we are proud to have identified and supported 70 Fellows. Each of these advocates have identified gaps and made their own commitment to advancing HIV prevention tools, policies and programs that meet the needs of their communities and countries. Alumni fellows continue to champion HIV prevention, often leading or playing key roles in moving the prevention agenda forward in their countries and regionally. Please visit the Advocacy Fellows page to learn more about the current and alumni Fellows and to meet the 2019 group.
The seven 2019 Advocacy Fellows were selected from a pool of over 120 applicants from 20+ countries. We are happy to welcome our youngest cadre of fellows and our first fellow ever from India. We thank all of the applicants and their proposed host organizations for the time and effort put into the application process. We’re also grateful to the independent review committee of advocates, scientists and former Fellows and Hosts who guided our decision-making.
Join us in welcoming the seven 2019 Advocacy Fellows and the organizations that will host them:
- Josephine Chinele, Pakachere, Malawi
- David Ita, NHVMAS, Nigeria
- Cleopatra Makura, SAYWHAT, Zimbabwe
- Mercy Muntonyi, BHESP, Kenya
- Sarah Nabia, Ashodaya Samithi, India
- Shakirah Namwanje, Peer to Peer, Uganda
- Ntokozo Zakwe, CAPRISA, South Africa
The 2019 Fellows’ year begins in April at a time when there are several critical issues confronting the HIV prevention field including anticipated results from the ECHO and DISCOVER trials; consideration for programs and policies for the rollout of oral PrEP—and possibly the dapivirine vaginal ring; prioritization of condom programming; bringing the voice of community advocates to the center of the research agenda and much more. We hope you’ll find ways to collaborate with the new Fellows in 2019 and beyond.
A Call for Applications for the 2020 Fellows Program will be announced mid-2019. If you would like to be notified or have any questions, please email us at fellows@avac.org.
And stay tuned for more information about the 10 years of the Advocacy Fellows program!