SEXUAL Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) advocate, Oward Gibson Chironda has together with other seven individuals and organisations been announced as a 2022 AVAC Advocacy Fellow.
By Staff Reporter
The 2022 AVAC Advocacy Fellows, marks the 12th class of the flagship Fellows Program. The group of eight advocates that have been selected for the 2022 program will participate in an 18-month program that supports their advocacy efforts, invests in the further development of their skills, shapes the agenda for HIV prevention research, and influences how quickly new interventions move into policy and programs in their communities and countries.
Speaking to the HealthTimes on his selection as the AVAC fellow, Gibson said the opportunity is presenting him with opportunity to further his advocacy work around HIV and AIDS.
My work has been around making sure that we stop and we end HIV. I have worked in this sector for the past 10 years, starting from being the national facilitator for Young People Living With HIV Network when i was 22 years old and from there, i have contributed immensely to work around ending HIV and AIDS at local, regional and global level,” He said.
He added that AVAC is another step forward and an opportunity to expand and work with Key Populations who are at greater risk of contracting HIV in line with the UNAIDS goal of ending AIDS by 2030.
In response to the success of the program in its first decade and a comprehensive evaluation to expand and improve on that foundation, the program will now run for 18 months, enabling extended support to Fellows’ advocacy priorities. In addition, the program will strengthen the role of the alumni network in the program and strengthen the linkages between organizational partners.
