“When men and women, boys and girls, are denied the right to education, the right to own land, the access to basic services like healthcare and clean water, a fair price for the crops they grow, a fair wage for the work they do, or the right to be part of making decisions that affect them, the result is poverty.”

Ugandan engineer, politician, activist and diplomat

Winnie Byanyima is a Ugandan engineer, politician, human rights activist, feminist, and diplomat, known for her leadership in public life and international advocacy. She serves as the executive director of UNAIDS. Byanyima has built her career across government, diplomacy, and civil society. Her work is associated with human rights and gender equality, and she is widely recognized for speaking on issues of justice, public health, and the rights of women and marginalized communities.