The African Sex Workers Alliance (ASWA) is thrilled to announce that Grace Kamau, our Regional Coordinator, has been appointed as a member of the EmpowHER Fund Advisory Committee by Aidsfonds.
The EmpowHER Fund envisions a world where women and girls in all their diversity can truly use the HIV-prevention method of their choice. Despite progress, young women and adolescent girls in Southern Africa continue to bear the greatest burden of HIV infections—accounting for nearly 63% of all new infections. Those aged 15–24 years remain particularly vulnerable, often facing intersecting barriers such as stigma, gender inequality, and lack of access to tailored prevention options.
The Fund seeks to transform this reality by expanding access to new and emerging HIV-prevention methods such as the 6-monthly Lenacapavir, the two-monthly Apretude injection, the Dual Prevention Pill, and the Dapivirine vaginal ring. These innovations hold immense potential to give women and girls genuine choice and autonomy in protecting their health.
However, as the Fund emphasizes, choice goes beyond availability. It is about empowering women and girls with the knowledge, confidence, and agency to make informed decisions about their bodies and futures. It is about creating stigma-free, inclusive services, and ensuring that policies and systems genuinely reflect and prioritize the health needs of women and girls—especially those from marginalized communities.
Grace’s appointment to the EmpowHER Fund Advisory Committee reflects ASWA’s continued leadership in advancing gender equality, health rights, and meaningful inclusion of sex workers and other women at the margins in global health decision-making. Her voice and lived experience will bring invaluable insight to the Fund’s mission of ensuring that women and girls are not only beneficiaries but also leaders shaping the HIV-prevention landscape.
“Congratulations our one and only for the new appointment. On behalf of KIASWA, I wish you all the best,” said Jane Mburu on Facebook.
“This is amazing news! Grace, your appointment to the EmpowHER Fund Advisory Committee is a testament to your hard work and passion. Keep pushing boundaries!” added Evans Gichuru, celebrating her milestone online.
Grace’s inclusion in the EmpowHER Fund Advisory Committee is a proud moment for ASWA and a powerful recognition of our collective commitment to centering women’s voices in HIV prevention and rights advocacy.
ASWA congratulates Grace on this well-deserved appointment and looks forward to the transformative contributions she will make in advancing choice, equity, and empowerment for women and girls in all their diversity across Africa.
