‘‘The story has never been the same, even though it sometimes still hurts.  I was diagnosed of HIV in 2017 and it felt like my world was going to crumble, I was terrified and thought I was going to die. It took me time to accept this new normal and take responsibility for my health. I had to tell my family, but l struggle with telling friends or people about my status for fear of judgement and stigmatization. I am very much aware about living with HIV, and against all myths, it isn’t a death sentence’’. –  Folake (Name has been changed to protect identity)

With each passing day, women are more affected by the HIV epidemic. Today, women and girls account for more than half of the people living with HIV globally and one out of every five new HIV infections happens among adolescent girls and young women due to vulnerabilities created by cultural and socio-economic barriers.

There have been tremendous efforts from women advocates in shaping a more equal future especially for WLWH. The Nigerian Business Coalition Against AIDS profiled extraordinary women leaders who are advancing leadership and advocacy for HIV/AIDS in Nigeria. Every day, through their actions, and in the way they lead, they have been able to confront norms, transform habits, take action and inspire others to demand a Nigeria without discrimination for Women Living with HIV/AIDS, and one by one, other women are empowered to challenge gender stereotypes and advocate for their rights. Now, more than ever, we must end the marginalization of Women living with HIV, break down the status stereotypes that prevent them from harnessing equal power to make pivotal decisions that will influence the equitable distribution of resources and  improved response to their needs.

 

Professor Morenike Ukpong

Professor Morenike Ukpong is a renowned NACA Consultant and a researcher at the Obafemi Awolowo University whose work has informed multiple HIV and research bioethics. She has participated in several agenda setting initiatives related to policy formulation, design, implementation, analysis and reporting on HIV/AIDS at the national, regional and international level.

Over the last 21 years, Morenike has made 118 conference presentations, many of which includes presentations addressing the needs of key and vulnerable populations.

She has been recognized as the 19^th of 28 top academic researchers in Nigeria in 2018 and 11th of the top published 41 academic researchers in Nigeria in 2019. Her research work that highlighted the psychological and sexual and reproductive health needs of adolescents living with HIV in collaboration with a non-governmental organization led to the development of the first national HIV policy addressing the programmatic HIV needs for adolescents in Nigeria in 2014.  

Prof. Morenike Ukpong, coordinates the New HIV Vaccine and Microbicide Advocacy Society (NHVMAS).

 

Zainab Ahmad Suleiman MFR/JP

Zainab Ahmad Suleiman MFR/JP is the Executive Director for the Community Support and Development Initiative, CSAID, a leading indigenous non-governmental organizations that is headquartered in Kano State with branches in Kaduna, Katsina and Jigawa States. Zainab, through her work at CSAID is committed to improving the quality of life for People Living with HIV/AIDS, vulnerable groups such as Orphans and Vulnerable children (OVC) and promoting access to quality health care for women and their families through community empowerment and improved access to quality health care services.

 

Abiola Ajani

Abiola Ajani is the South-west Coordinator for the Network of People Living with HIV AIDS (NEPWHAN), Abiola has a BSc in Peace Study and Conflict Resolution and a Certificate in Medical Psychiatric Social Work.

She has worked with Nigerian Institute of Medical Research NIMR Yaba as Surveillance counselor, Adherence counselor, Home Based Care Giver for People Living with HIV AIDS (PLHIV). Abiola is the Lagos State Coordinator for the International Community of Women Living with HIV AIDS West Africa (ICWWA) and SHEWE Coalition, a group focused on sensitizing Women and Adolescent girls living with HIV and Sexual Reproductive Health in Nigeria.

In all this line, Abiola supports WLHIV to overcome stigma, know their rights and become self-dependent.

Veronica Terna Tutu

Veronica Terna Tutu is one of the leading voices on HIV/AIDS and SRH in Benue and the North Central Zone of Nigeria, She has worked in many capacities among Women, Men, youths, Children, Kp groups, OVC and Caregivers of HIV families and other Vulnerable groups.

Veronica through Awareness programs, Capacity building, HIV Counseling and Testing, Care and Support programs advocates for the rights of PLWH.

 

Monica Obi

Monica Obi started her work in the HIV space in 2006, and has since been actively involved in HIV prevention, counseling, testing programs and referral services. She organizes support groups for people living with HIV to encourage positive living, ARVs drug adherence, treatment literacy, empowerment programs, OVC, child protection, PMTCT, amongst others. Monica works with women, children, adolescents, young people, Key Populations and the general population

She is the CEO of Positive Proof Women Health Care Empowerment Initiative (POPWHEI) and the secretary of the network of people living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria, Lagos chapter (NEPWHAN).

 

Victoria Mbah

A gender based activist for Women living with HIV, Victoria Mbah has been working in the HIV field since 2008, she has trained more than 2,000 women through Skill acquisition and empowerment programs. She advocates for the right of women and young girls living with HIV especially on sexual reproductive health.

She engages with different partners, stakeholders and women living with HIV in fighting stigma and discrimination

Victoria is a Board member of Civil society on HIV/AIDS (CISHAN), a member of Advancing sexual reproductive health of women Living with HIV/AIDS (SHEWE) and a member of Reproductive justices in Nigeria.

 

Amaka Nneji

With over 14 years of experience in Advocacy, Project management, Multi-sector partnerships, Community Mobilization and Engagement, Amaka Nneji is an impact driven development practitioner who is passionate about social work and Community Development ranging from Migration counsel, Human capital development, Sexual Reproductive Health, HIV and AIDS, Women and Girls’ Rights and Advocacy,  Community Mobilization and Engagement, Youth development and Entrepreneurship

Through her strong network, Amaka has been a great support to researchers by mobilizing research teams in various specializations. She has facilitated projects funded by Local and International Agencies such as : Society for Family Health, UNDP, GI and the Obijackson Foundation’s Entrepreneurial development project.

 

 

Amaka Nneji

With over 14 years of experience in Advocacy, Project management, Multi-sector partnerships, Community Mobilization and Engagement, Amaka Nneji is an impact driven development practitioner who is passionate about social work and Community Development ranging from Migration counsel, Human capital development, Sexual Reproductive Health, HIV and AIDS, Women and Girls’ Rights and Advocacy,  Community Mobilization and Engagement, Youth development and Entrepreneurship

Through her strong network, Amaka has been a great support to researchers by mobilizing research teams in various specializations. She has facilitated projects funded by Local and International Agencies such as : Society for Family Health, UNDP, GI and the Obijackson Foundation’s Entrepreneurial development project.