Speakers
Abena Adubea Amoah
Executive Director of the PIanned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG)
Abena Adubea Amoah is a Ghanaian and currently the Executive Director of the PIanned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG) based in Accra. She has expertise in developing and implementing strategic and innovative programs in, Health, Education, Gender, Economic development and skills training, and international volunteer programs. Abena has practical experience working at different levels in community development, health promotion, education, gender and youth development, employment and training sectors and over 15 years of direct management.
Abena has passion for youth and gender issues and has been part of the fight against all forms of abuse and discriminations against women and youth. She is also involved in mentoring of young people.
Abena Adubea Amoah
Executive Director of the PIanned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG)
Abena Adubea Amoah is a Ghanaian and currently the Executive Director of the PIanned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG) based in Accra. She has expertise in developing and implementing strategic and innovative programs in, Health, Education, Gender, Economic development and skills training, and international volunteer programs. Abena has practical experience working at different levels in community development, health promotion, education, gender and youth development, employment and training sectors and over 15 years of direct management.
Abena has passion for youth and gender issues and has been part of the fight against all forms of abuse and discriminations against women and youth. She is also involved in mentoring of young people.
Abhina Aher
Chair of the IPPF Strategy, Investment and Policy Committee
Abhina Aher has been Associate Director for Gender, Sexuality and Rights at the India HIV/AIDS Alliance since 2010. She has been a global activist on LGBTI issues for the last 24 years and has worked with organisations such as The Humsafar Trust (Mumbai), Family Health International (FHI), and the Johns Hopkins University Centre for Communication Programme (CCP). Amongst the skills required for the Board of Trustees, Abhina can point to knowledge of safeguarding; programme delivery experience; and peer-to-peer service delivery. She is from South Asia, currently located in India.
Abhina Aher
Chair of the IPPF Strategy, Investment and Policy Committee
Abhina Aher has been Associate Director for Gender, Sexuality and Rights at the India HIV/AIDS Alliance since 2010. She has been a global activist on LGBTI issues for the last 24 years and has worked with organisations such as The Humsafar Trust (Mumbai), Family Health International (FHI), and the Johns Hopkins University Centre for Communication Programme (CCP). Amongst the skills required for the Board of Trustees, Abhina can point to knowledge of safeguarding; programme delivery experience; and peer-to-peer service delivery. She is from South Asia, currently located in India.
Aileen McColgan KC
IPPF Honorary Legal Counsel
Aileen McColgan KC is a barrister and former academic who specialises in discrimination and human rights law. She has been engaged in feminist legal work, research and activism for over 30 years. She was Professor of Human Rights Law at King’s College London between 2000 and 2019 and is the author of multiple books and articles on discrimination, equality, human rights and other legal matters. She has been Honorary Legal Counsel for IPPF since December 2019.
Aileen McColgan KC
IPPF Honorary Legal Counsel
Aileen McColgan KC is a barrister and former academic who specialises in discrimination and human rights law. She has been engaged in feminist legal work, research and activism for over 30 years. She was Professor of Human Rights Law at King’s College London between 2000 and 2019 and is the author of multiple books and articles on discrimination, equality, human rights and other legal matters. She has been Honorary Legal Counsel for IPPF since December 2019.
Alessandro Zambrano Lozano
Youth Member of the Board of Directors of INPPARES
Alessandro Zambrano Lozano is a Youth Member of the Board of Directors of Instituto Peruano de Paternidad Responsable – Peru (INPPARES). He is also a nurse at the Alexander Von Humboldt Institute of Tropical Medicine, a volunteer for the Future Youth Center and the Co-founder of the En-LACES Network.
Alessandro Zambrano Lozano
Youth Member of the Board of Directors of INPPARES
Alessandro Zambrano Lozano is a Youth Member of the Board of Directors of Instituto Peruano de Paternidad Responsable – Peru (INPPARES). He is also a nurse at the Alexander Von Humboldt Institute of Tropical Medicine, a volunteer for the Future Youth Center and the Co-founder of the En-LACES Network.
Alvaro Bermejo
Director General, IPPF
Alvaro Bermejo has more than 20 years’ experience as a senior executive in global federations, working across HIV and AIDS, humanitarian issues and health policy. He was previously the Executive Director of the Survive and Thrive portfolio at the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), where he helped build an adolescent sexual and reproductive health portfolio in addition to the more established health, nutrition and education portfolios. Dr Bermejo took up his position from March 1 2018 for an initial four-year term.
Alvaro Bermejo
Director General, IPPF
Alvaro Bermejo has more than 20 years’ experience as a senior executive in global federations, working across HIV and AIDS, humanitarian issues and health policy. He was previously the Executive Director of the Survive and Thrive portfolio at the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), where he helped build an adolescent sexual and reproductive health portfolio in addition to the more established health, nutrition and education portfolios. Dr Bermejo took up his position from March 1 2018 for an initial four-year term.
Ammal Nasirl Awadallah
Executive Director of the Palestinian Family Planning and Protection Association
Ammal Awadallah, a Palestinian women activist has been working in the NGO sector for nearly three decades. With a BA in Accounting and minor in Business Administration she began working with the Palestinian Family Planning and Protection Association (PFPPA) from mid-2006 as a financial and administrative director. It was her strong passion towards Sexual Reproductive Health Rights, Gender Equity and Equality, and eliminating all forms of Gender Based Violence that led her to play a more inclusive role within the Association.
In 2019, Ammal was promoted to PFPPA’s Executive Director, whereas she takes utterly serious her responsibility to the Palestinian people, who face challenges on a daily basis, particularly those underserved and marginalized. She is committed to working with PFPPA’s team that one day “All people in the State of Palestine enjoy full and comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights, freedom of choice, and access to services without discrimination”.
Ammal Nasirl Awadallah
Executive Director of the Palestinian Family Planning and Protection Association
Ammal Awadallah, a Palestinian women activist has been working in the NGO sector for nearly three decades. With a BA in Accounting and minor in Business Administration she began working with the Palestinian Family Planning and Protection Association (PFPPA) from mid-2006 as a financial and administrative director. It was her strong passion towards Sexual Reproductive Health Rights, Gender Equity and Equality, and eliminating all forms of Gender Based Violence that led her to play a more inclusive role within the Association.
In 2019, Ammal was promoted to PFPPA’s Executive Director, whereas she takes utterly serious her responsibility to the Palestinian people, who face challenges on a daily basis, particularly those underserved and marginalized. She is committed to working with PFPPA’s team that one day “All people in the State of Palestine enjoy full and comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights, freedom of choice, and access to services without discrimination”.
Ammar Al-Salama
Board Member and Head of the Youth Committee, Syrian Family Planning Association
Ammar Al-Salama is a Board Member and the Head of the Youth Committee at the Syrian Family Planning Association (SFPA) which is part of IPPF’s Arab World Regional Network. He is studying dentistry at Damascus University in Syria. He is a Trainer of peer sexual education with Y-Peer Syria, SFPA and other INGOs, and a member of Arab World Region Youth Network. He is also a member of the IPPF Global Youth content (GYContent ). He speaks English and Arabic fluently, is intermediate in the French language and speaks a little German. Right now he is learning Spanish.
Ammar Al-Salama
Board Member and Head of the Youth Committee, Syrian Family Planning Association
Ammar Al-Salama is a Board Member and the Head of the Youth Committee at the Syrian Family Planning Association (SFPA) which is part of IPPF’s Arab World Regional Network. He is studying dentistry at Damascus University in Syria. He is a Trainer of peer sexual education with Y-Peer Syria, SFPA and other INGOs, and a member of Arab World Region Youth Network. He is also a member of the IPPF Global Youth content (GYContent ). He speaks English and Arabic fluently, is intermediate in the French language and speaks a little German. Right now he is learning Spanish.
Amour Dieu-Donné
Youth Representative, Association Béninoise pour la Promotion de la Famille (ABPF)
A young activist for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, Amour is the current Coordinator of the Youth Action Movement for Francophone West Africa and National President of the Youth Action Movement of Benin within ABPF of which he has been a member since 2015. With more than 7 years of experience and commitment, Amour is one of the most remarkable young activists for the promotion of SRHR in Africa. In 2021, he was honored by the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Benin for his work for gender equality. Coach and International Trainer in Self-Development and Leadership, Amour is a Project Manager and Consultant for Safe Abortion.
Amour Dieu-Donné
Youth Representative, Association Béninoise pour la Promotion de la Famille (ABPF)
A young activist for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, Amour is the current Coordinator of the Youth Action Movement for Francophone West Africa and National President of the Youth Action Movement of Benin within ABPF of which he has been a member since 2015. With more than 7 years of experience and commitment, Amour is one of the most remarkable young activists for the promotion of SRHR in Africa. In 2021, he was honored by the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Benin for his work for gender equality. Coach and International Trainer in Self-Development and Leadership, Amour is a Project Manager and Consultant for Safe Abortion.
Andreas Prager
President of New Zealand Family Planning and Member of IPPF Board of Trustees
Andreas Prager is President of the New Zealand Family Planning Council and Member of the IPPF Board of Trustees. Andreas has held the role of Director and Principal Consultant at Noricum Consulting since 2016. He is also Consulting Manager and Principal Consultant at Gallus Consulting. He has been a member of the New Zealand Institute of Directors since 2012. Andreas is President of the New Zealand Family Planning Council and has been an MA volunteer since 2012. He was previously Chair of the IPPF Governance Reform Transition Committee. Amongst the skills required for the Board of Trustees, Andreas can point to International and national governance; SRHR leadership and networks; and senior executive experience. He is from Oceania, currently located in New Zealand.
Andreas Prager
President of New Zealand Family Planning and Member of IPPF Board of Trustees
Andreas Prager is President of the New Zealand Family Planning Council and Member of the IPPF Board of Trustees. Andreas has held the role of Director and Principal Consultant at Noricum Consulting since 2016. He is also Consulting Manager and Principal Consultant at Gallus Consulting. He has been a member of the New Zealand Institute of Directors since 2012. Andreas is President of the New Zealand Family Planning Council and has been an MA volunteer since 2012. He was previously Chair of the IPPF Governance Reform Transition Committee. Amongst the skills required for the Board of Trustees, Andreas can point to International and national governance; SRHR leadership and networks; and senior executive experience. He is from Oceania, currently located in New Zealand.
Ari Sigurdarson
Board member of the Youth Network for Sexual Politics (SNU)
The youth representative from Norway, Ari Sigurdarson, is a board member of the Youth Network for Sexual Politics (SNU), IPPF Norway’s youth organizations. Based in Oslo, he is an active young citizen working in several different organizations on themes such as freedom of speech, youth participation, as well as sexual and reproductive health and rights. Ari is currently studying international relations at the University of Oslo.
Ari Sigurdarson
Board member of the Youth Network for Sexual Politics (SNU)
The youth representative from Norway, Ari Sigurdarson, is a board member of the Youth Network for Sexual Politics (SNU), IPPF Norway’s youth organizations. Based in Oslo, he is an active young citizen working in several different organizations on themes such as freedom of speech, youth participation, as well as sexual and reproductive health and rights. Ari is currently studying international relations at the University of Oslo.
Asiata Gerard Tuii Anapu
President of the Samoa Family Health Association
Gerard is currently serving as the President of Samoa Family Health Association after being elected in 2021. Prior to this appointment he served as the Honorary Treasurer from 2017-2021. He has a strong passion for doing work related to SRHR especially in the context of Samoa. As he says: “It can be trying and challenging but that gives me the drive to do more and all that I can or we can as a collective!
When he is not doing work for SFHA, he works for the Government of Samoa through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as a Senior Foreign Service Officer in the International Relations Division. His areas of work include the implementation of the SDGs, Human Rights, Climate Change and Oceans. He finds that part of the work he does goes well with what SFHA does especially in this interlinked world we live in. His goal is for leaders and more people to talk about the impacts Climate Change has on SRHR especially in the context of the Pacific region.
He is a village chief and an active member of our church congregation. Gerard hold a Bachelor of Arts specializing in International Relations and Behavioral Studies from the Monash University in Melbourne, Australia.
Asiata Gerard Tuii Anapu
President of the Samoa Family Health Association
Gerard is currently serving as the President of Samoa Family Health Association after being elected in 2021. Prior to this appointment he served as the Honorary Treasurer from 2017-2021. He has a strong passion for doing work related to SRHR especially in the context of Samoa. As he says: “It can be trying and challenging but that gives me the drive to do more and all that I can or we can as a collective!
When he is not doing work for SFHA, he works for the Government of Samoa through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as a Senior Foreign Service Officer in the International Relations Division. His areas of work include the implementation of the SDGs, Human Rights, Climate Change and Oceans. He finds that part of the work he does goes well with what SFHA does especially in this interlinked world we live in. His goal is for leaders and more people to talk about the impacts Climate Change has on SRHR especially in the context of the Pacific region.
He is a village chief and an active member of our church congregation. Gerard hold a Bachelor of Arts specializing in International Relations and Behavioral Studies from the Monash University in Melbourne, Australia.
Aurélia Nguyen
Member of the IPPF Board of Trustees
Aurélia Nguyen is currently Special Advisor to Gavi’s Executive Office. She previously worked in a number of other roles at Gavi, notably as Managing Director of the Office of the COVAX Facility and as Managing Director for Vaccines & Sustainability. Prior to joining Gavi, Aurélia held a variety of posts within GlaxoSmithKline, where latterly she led the development of GSK’s policies on access to medicines and vaccines in the developing world. She has also undertaken research for the World Health Organization (WHO) on generic medicines policies. Aurélia is a certified accountant and holds a Master’s degree in Health Policy, Planning & Financing from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and the London School of Economics. Aurélia was named by TIME magazine to the 2021 TIME100 Next list honouring “the 100 individuals who are shaping the future of their fields and defining the next generation of leadership”.
Aurélia Nguyen
Member of the IPPF Board of Trustees
Aurélia Nguyen is currently Special Advisor to Gavi’s Executive Office. She previously worked in a number of other roles at Gavi, notably as Managing Director of the Office of the COVAX Facility and as Managing Director for Vaccines & Sustainability. Prior to joining Gavi, Aurélia held a variety of posts within GlaxoSmithKline, where latterly she led the development of GSK’s policies on access to medicines and vaccines in the developing world. She has also undertaken research for the World Health Organization (WHO) on generic medicines policies. Aurélia is a certified accountant and holds a Master’s degree in Health Policy, Planning & Financing from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and the London School of Economics. Aurélia was named by TIME magazine to the 2021 TIME100 Next list honouring “the 100 individuals who are shaping the future of their fields and defining the next generation of leadership”.
Bience Gawanas
Treasurer of the IPPF Board of Trustees
Bience Gawanas’ career in law, human rights, gender equality, social justice and social development spans more than 40 years and has been defined by multiple leadership roles that have earned her both national and international recognition for effectiveness, service delivery, creativity and an ability to build bridges connecting a wide range of actors such as the AU Commission, African Regional Economic Communities, UN agencies, as well as international and continental institutions, and civil society organizations.
Bience Gawanas
Treasurer of the IPPF Board of Trustees
Bience Gawanas’ career in law, human rights, gender equality, social justice and social development spans more than 40 years and has been defined by multiple leadership roles that have earned her both national and international recognition for effectiveness, service delivery, creativity and an ability to build bridges connecting a wide range of actors such as the AU Commission, African Regional Economic Communities, UN agencies, as well as international and continental institutions, and civil society organizations.
Buya Nabie Bangura
Youth Representative, Planned Parenthood Association of Sierra Leone (PPASL)
Buya Nabie Bangura, 24, is an SRHR Champion, a Graduating Pharmacist, and the National and Western Region President of the Youth Action Movement Sierra Leone (YAMSL), the Youth Component of Planned Parenthood Association of Sierra Leone. He is known popularly as D-Optimistic wan, because of his unending positive mindset. Buya is a Youth Coordinator at the Reproductive Maternal Neonatal Child and Adolescent Health +Nutrition Coalition (RMNCAH+N). Through the coalition headed by USAID Momentum Country and Global Leadership, MCGL and Health Alert Sierra Leone (HASiL), they staged a National Adolescent and Youth Conference on Family Planning in 2018 at the British Council in Freetown, and the 2nd edition in October this year at the Bintumani Hotel Freetown. He was part of the Steering Committee and the Host of Day 2 of the conference. They succeeded in advocating for the CSE to be in the school curriculum, which is now integrated.
Buya Nabie Bangura
Youth Representative, Planned Parenthood Association of Sierra Leone (PPASL)
Buya Nabie Bangura, 24, is an SRHR Champion, a Graduating Pharmacist, and the National and Western Region President of the Youth Action Movement Sierra Leone (YAMSL), the Youth Component of Planned Parenthood Association of Sierra Leone. He is known popularly as D-Optimistic wan, because of his unending positive mindset. Buya is a Youth Coordinator at the Reproductive Maternal Neonatal Child and Adolescent Health +Nutrition Coalition (RMNCAH+N). Through the coalition headed by USAID Momentum Country and Global Leadership, MCGL and Health Alert Sierra Leone (HASiL), they staged a National Adolescent and Youth Conference on Family Planning in 2018 at the British Council in Freetown, and the 2nd edition in October this year at the Bintumani Hotel Freetown. He was part of the Steering Committee and the Host of Day 2 of the conference. They succeeded in advocating for the CSE to be in the school curriculum, which is now integrated.
Donya Nasser
Member of the IPPF Board of Trustees
An MA volunteer, Donya Nasser has been Senior Manager, Public Engagement and Policy at the Center for the Developing Adolescent since 2019. She has been a Global Trustee on the Governing Council for IPPF since 2017; a Board Director for IPPF Western Hemisphere Region since 2017; and a Board Director for the Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) and Action Fund (PPAF) since 2015. She has also been the Director of Strategic Partnerships on the Youth Working Group of the U.S. National Commission for UNESCO since 2017 and a Member of the Youth Power Panel at Restless Development in Washington DC since 2019. Amongst the skills required for the Board of Trustees, Donya can point to knowledge of SRHR leadership; experience of advocacy and working with government; and fundraising and resource mobilization. She is from North America, currently located in the USA. She also has lived in the UK for a year and Iran for just under a year. Donya is a young adult under the age of 30.
Donya Nasser
Member of the IPPF Board of Trustees
An MA volunteer, Donya Nasser has been Senior Manager, Public Engagement and Policy at the Center for the Developing Adolescent since 2019. She has been a Global Trustee on the Governing Council for IPPF since 2017; a Board Director for IPPF Western Hemisphere Region since 2017; and a Board Director for the Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) and Action Fund (PPAF) since 2015. She has also been the Director of Strategic Partnerships on the Youth Working Group of the U.S. National Commission for UNESCO since 2017 and a Member of the Youth Power Panel at Restless Development in Washington DC since 2019. Amongst the skills required for the Board of Trustees, Donya can point to knowledge of SRHR leadership; experience of advocacy and working with government; and fundraising and resource mobilization. She is from North America, currently located in the USA. She also has lived in the UK for a year and Iran for just under a year. Donya is a young adult under the age of 30.
Emma Tangarife Buitrago
Youth Representative, Profamilia
Emma Tangarife is a non-binary person, a professional in political science and an activist for sexual and reproductive rights for 6 years. They are the Youth representative on the Board of Directors of Profamilia, Colombia.
Emma Tangarife Buitrago
Youth Representative, Profamilia
Emma Tangarife is a non-binary person, a professional in political science and an activist for sexual and reproductive rights for 6 years. They are the Youth representative on the Board of Directors of Profamilia, Colombia.
Fathimath Shaana
Executive Committee for the Society for Health Education, Maldives
Fathimath is a 24-year-old Maldivian peer educator, resource member and volunteer. She is the Female Youth Representative on the Executive Committee for the Society for Health Education (SHE). Her expertise lies in advocacy, policy making and decision making concerning the aspects of youth health such as mental health, SRH and youth empowerment. She has also been the Country Representative for the South-Asian Youth Health Action Network (SYAN) – supported by WHO SARO. In her own words, she is: A medico by profession, volunteer by passion and an ENFJ by personality!”
Fathimath Shaana
Executive Committee for the Society for Health Education, Maldives
Fathimath is a 24-year-old Maldivian peer educator, resource member and volunteer. She is the Female Youth Representative on the Executive Committee for the Society for Health Education (SHE). Her expertise lies in advocacy, policy making and decision making concerning the aspects of youth health such as mental health, SRH and youth empowerment. She has also been the Country Representative for the South-Asian Youth Health Action Network (SYAN) – supported by WHO SARO. In her own words, she is: A medico by profession, volunteer by passion and an ENFJ by personality!”
Fernanda Guzmán
Vice President, Fundación Mexicana para la Planeación Familiar
Luisa Fernanda Guzmán González, at 22 years old is the Vice President of Mexfam’s Governing Body and a voice for youth in IPPF. She is in her final year studying Medicinie at Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Fernanda is an activist for Sexual and Reproductive Rights especially for young people and is an active collaborator of UNFPA LACRO in Youth. Fernanda is greatly committed to the causes of participation and health in young people.
Fernanda Guzmán
Vice President, Fundación Mexicana para la Planeación Familiar
Luisa Fernanda Guzmán González, at 22 years old is the Vice President of Mexfam’s Governing Body and a voice for youth in IPPF. She is in her final year studying Medicinie at Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Fernanda is an activist for Sexual and Reproductive Rights especially for young people and is an active collaborator of UNFPA LACRO in Youth. Fernanda is greatly committed to the causes of participation and health in young people.
Fiona Franz
Board Member of pro familia Germany
Fiona Franz (she/her), is 24 years old and Board Member of pro familia Germany. She is also a volunteer in pro familia Germany youth network pia-pro familia in action and founded a regional chapter of Medical Students for Choice at her University in Hamburg where she is her 4th year of Medical school.
Fiona Franz
Board Member of pro familia Germany
Fiona Franz (she/her), is 24 years old and Board Member of pro familia Germany. She is also a volunteer in pro familia Germany youth network pia-pro familia in action and founded a regional chapter of Medical Students for Choice at her University in Hamburg where she is her 4th year of Medical school.
Ghedirale Fethi Ghedira
President of the Tunisian Association for Sexual and Reproductive Health
Dr Ghedira Fethi, is a medical doctor specializing in cardiology and has participated actively in a range of consultations and inspections as part of the accreditation process for Member Associations in the Arab region, including for Sudan, Mauritania, Egypt, Algeria, Syria, Morocco and Iraq. He is the President of the Tunisian Association for Sexual and Reproductive Health and an active member of civil society, including in scientific, social and sports associations.
Ghedirale Fethi Ghedira
President of the Tunisian Association for Sexual and Reproductive Health
Dr Ghedira Fethi, is a medical doctor specializing in cardiology and has participated actively in a range of consultations and inspections as part of the accreditation process for Member Associations in the Arab region, including for Sudan, Mauritania, Egypt, Algeria, Syria, Morocco and Iraq. He is the President of the Tunisian Association for Sexual and Reproductive Health and an active member of civil society, including in scientific, social and sports associations.
Gurminder Singh
Member of the Committee-Strategy, Investment & Policy of IPPF and a member of the Governing Board of Family Planning Association of India
Gurminder Singh is a 24 years old Youth Advocate and Social activist for SRHR and currently serving as the Member of the Committee-Strategy, Investment & Policy (C-SIP) of IPPF and as member of the Governing Board (CEC) of Family Planning Association of India . Also, he is member of the Think Tank Committee of the IPPF Global Youth Connect Program handled by Reproductive Health Uganda. He has done Master’s in Science as well as Bachelor’s in Education and currently pursuing Post Graduate Diploma in Guidance and Counselling.
Gurminder Singh
Member of the Committee-Strategy, Investment & Policy of IPPF and a member of the Governing Board of Family Planning Association of India
Gurminder Singh is a 24 years old Youth Advocate and Social activist for SRHR and currently serving as the Member of the Committee-Strategy, Investment & Policy (C-SIP) of IPPF and as member of the Governing Board (CEC) of Family Planning Association of India . Also, he is member of the Think Tank Committee of the IPPF Global Youth Connect Program handled by Reproductive Health Uganda. He has done Master’s in Science as well as Bachelor’s in Education and currently pursuing Post Graduate Diploma in Guidance and Counselling.
Hans Linde
President of RFSU (The Swedish Association for Sexuality Education)
Hans Linde is the president of RFSU (The Swedish Association for Sexuality Education), the Member Association of IPPF in Sweden. Mr Linde was elected in 2017 and brings extensive experience from working with sexual and reproductive health and rights and international development cooperation. Mr Linde was a member of the Swedish Parliament and its standing committee on foreign affairs between 2006 and 2017. Mr Linde was also a member of the cross-party group on SRHR and was one of the organizers of The Sixth International Parliamentarians’ Conference on the Implementation of the ICPD Programme of Action in 2014. In 2019 he was appointed to the Independent Governance Reform Commission in IPPF, which presented its report and recommendations to the General Assembly in India the same year. Mr Linde serves today on the board of IPAS and as member of the High-Level Commission on the Nairobi Summit on ICPD25 Follow-up. In 2019 he received the UNFPA Award for Leadership and Commitment to Achieving Rights and Choices for All. “
Hans Linde
President of RFSU (The Swedish Association for Sexuality Education)
Hans Linde is the president of RFSU (The Swedish Association for Sexuality Education), the Member Association of IPPF in Sweden. Mr Linde was elected in 2017 and brings extensive experience from working with sexual and reproductive health and rights and international development cooperation. Mr Linde was a member of the Swedish Parliament and its standing committee on foreign affairs between 2006 and 2017. Mr Linde was also a member of the cross-party group on SRHR and was one of the organizers of The Sixth International Parliamentarians’ Conference on the Implementation of the ICPD Programme of Action in 2014. In 2019 he was appointed to the Independent Governance Reform Commission in IPPF, which presented its report and recommendations to the General Assembly in India the same year. Mr Linde serves today on the board of IPAS and as member of the High-Level Commission on the Nairobi Summit on ICPD25 Follow-up. In 2019 he received the UNFPA Award for Leadership and Commitment to Achieving Rights and Choices for All. “
Hayathe Ayeva
Youth Representative of the Togolese Association for Family Welfare
Hayathe Ayeva is a 22 year old pharmacy student at the National School of Medical Auxiliaries in Lomé. A very committed social activist, Hayathe is a leader at heart, a fighter for the sexual and reproductive health of adolescents and young people; she currently chairs the Youth Action Movement (YAM) of the Togolese Association for Family Welfare (ATBEF), a full member of the International Planned Parenthood Federation. As part of her YAM activities, she works hard with her peers to support ATBEF’s awareness raising activities on sexual and reproductive health and rights. Hayathe aspires to one day work in the United Nations to put her skills in Sexual and Reproductive Health at the service of young people for an equal world.
Hayathe Ayeva
Youth Representative of the Togolese Association for Family Welfare
Hayathe Ayeva is a 22 year old pharmacy student at the National School of Medical Auxiliaries in Lomé. A very committed social activist, Hayathe is a leader at heart, a fighter for the sexual and reproductive health of adolescents and young people; she currently chairs the Youth Action Movement (YAM) of the Togolese Association for Family Welfare (ATBEF), a full member of the International Planned Parenthood Federation. As part of her YAM activities, she works hard with her peers to support ATBEF’s awareness raising activities on sexual and reproductive health and rights. Hayathe aspires to one day work in the United Nations to put her skills in Sexual and Reproductive Health at the service of young people for an equal world.
Ingela Holmertz
Secretary General of RFSU
Ingela Holmertz is the Secretary General of RFSU (The Swedish Association for Sexuality Education) and the Swedish member association of IPPF. Ingela has a long and extensive leadership experience from humanitarian, development and rights-based organizations. Before taking up the position at RFSU, Ingela was the Secretary General of ActionAid Sweden and a member of the international leadership team of ActionAid, a global federation working for a world free from poverty and injustice. For more than 20 years, Ingela has worked in various senior leadership positions within the Red Cross and Red Crescent federation in Sweden and internationally and has also served as a board member of different civil society organisations.
Ingela is a committed feminist, fighting for equal rights and opportunities for all people.
Ingela Holmertz
Secretary General of RFSU
Ingela Holmertz is the Secretary General of RFSU (The Swedish Association for Sexuality Education) and the Swedish member association of IPPF. Ingela has a long and extensive leadership experience from humanitarian, development and rights-based organizations. Before taking up the position at RFSU, Ingela was the Secretary General of ActionAid Sweden and a member of the international leadership team of ActionAid, a global federation working for a world free from poverty and injustice. For more than 20 years, Ingela has worked in various senior leadership positions within the Red Cross and Red Crescent federation in Sweden and internationally and has also served as a board member of different civil society organisations.
Ingela is a committed feminist, fighting for equal rights and opportunities for all people.
Isaac Adewole
Member of the IPPF Board of Trustees
An external candidate, Professor Isaac Adewole has been a Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria since 1997. He was the former Nigerian minister of health from 2015 to 2019 and the 11th Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan from 2010 to 2015 as well as the past President of African Organization for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC). His research interest is in the area of human papillomavirus, HIV, and gynaecologic oncology. Amongst the skills required for the Board of Trustees, Professor Adewole can point to knowledge of governance at the international or national level; experience of advocacy and working with government; and leadership in SRHR. Professor Adewole is from West Africa, currently located in Nigeria. He also lived in the UK for 18 months and spent 6 weeks in the USA in the past.
Isaac Adewole
Member of the IPPF Board of Trustees
An external candidate, Professor Isaac Adewole has been a Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria since 1997. He was the former Nigerian minister of health from 2015 to 2019 and the 11th Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan from 2010 to 2015 as well as the past President of African Organization for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC). His research interest is in the area of human papillomavirus, HIV, and gynaecologic oncology. Amongst the skills required for the Board of Trustees, Professor Adewole can point to knowledge of governance at the international or national level; experience of advocacy and working with government; and leadership in SRHR. Professor Adewole is from West Africa, currently located in Nigeria. He also lived in the UK for 18 months and spent 6 weeks in the USA in the past.
Johnash Zacx Tocel
Youth Representative Board Member, Barbados Family Planning Association
Johnash Zacx Tocel is the Youth Representative Board member of the Barbados Family Planning Association and an executive floor member of the Youth Advocacy Movement (YAM). He is a member of UReport Barbados Steering Committee and Team Leader of Research and Poll Development. Johnash holds a BSc. (Hons) Health Sciences with a specialty in Community Health from The University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus. He volunteers with the Barbados National Registry for Non-Communicable Diseases and Cancer, collecting data on cancer patients and helping to run their social media and online presence. He works with the Barbados COVID – 19 Vaccination Programme as a Medical Records Clerk. Johnash’s passion is Sexual and Reproductive Health among youth and other minority groups within society.
Johnash Zacx Tocel
Youth Representative Board Member, Barbados Family Planning Association
Johnash Zacx Tocel is the Youth Representative Board member of the Barbados Family Planning Association and an executive floor member of the Youth Advocacy Movement (YAM). He is a member of UReport Barbados Steering Committee and Team Leader of Research and Poll Development. Johnash holds a BSc. (Hons) Health Sciences with a specialty in Community Health from The University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus. He volunteers with the Barbados National Registry for Non-Communicable Diseases and Cancer, collecting data on cancer patients and helping to run their social media and online presence. He works with the Barbados COVID – 19 Vaccination Programme as a Medical Records Clerk. Johnash’s passion is Sexual and Reproductive Health among youth and other minority groups within society.
Judith Laurence Maffon Gbehinto
Association Béninoise pour la Promotion de la Famille (ABPF)
Judith has been volunteering with ABPF since 2004, was the National Treasurer from 2004 – 2011 and has been the President since 2017. She is also a member of the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee for IPPF.
Judith Laurence Maffon Gbehinto
Association Béninoise pour la Promotion de la Famille (ABPF)
Judith has been volunteering with ABPF since 2004, was the National Treasurer from 2004 – 2011 and has been the President since 2017. She is also a member of the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee for IPPF.
Juliana Cabrera
Board Member of SEDRA-Federación de Planificación Familiar (Spain)
A Specialist in family and community medicine, Juliana works as a physician in primary care and family planning in Spain. She has extensive experience in working in Cameroon including as a Development Cooperation volunteer since 2002 and leads the migrant-focused Working Group of the Spanish Society of Primary Care Physicians. She has been a member of the Extremeña de Planificación Familiar y Sexualidad (AEPFS) since 1995 and member of its board of directors since 2000. She is a passionate defender of human rights, especially sexual and reproductive rights.
Juliana Cabrera
Board Member of SEDRA-Federación de Planificación Familiar (Spain)
A Specialist in family and community medicine, Juliana works as a physician in primary care and family planning in Spain. She has extensive experience in working in Cameroon including as a Development Cooperation volunteer since 2002 and leads the migrant-focused Working Group of the Spanish Society of Primary Care Physicians. She has been a member of the Extremeña de Planificación Familiar y Sexualidad (AEPFS) since 1995 and member of its board of directors since 2000. She is a passionate defender of human rights, especially sexual and reproductive rights.
Kate Gilmore
Chair of IPPF Board of Trustees
Kate Gilmore is Chair of the IPPFBoard of Trustees, shehas been a Fellow at the Carr Center for Human Rights Policy, Harvard Kennedy School since February 2020. She is researching human rights concerns including: The political economy of sexual and reproductive health and rights; Organizational leadership in a world of “J curve” change; Acceleration of youth participation in public decision making; and Civil service without fear or favour. Kate was United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights from 2014 to 2019 and was Assistant Secretary General and Deputy Executive Director, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) from 2012 to 2014.
Before this, she was Executive Deputy Secretary General at Amnesty International from 2000 to 2009. Amongst the skills required for the Board of Trustees, Kate can point to senior executive experience; safeguarding; and program delivery experience. She is from Oceania, currently located in France (and the USA while at Harvard). She also has lived in Australia for 40 years; the UK for 14 years; the USA for 4 years; and Switzerland for 4 years.
Kate Gilmore
Chair of IPPF Board of Trustees
Kate Gilmore is Chair of the IPPFBoard of Trustees, shehas been a Fellow at the Carr Center for Human Rights Policy, Harvard Kennedy School since February 2020. She is researching human rights concerns including: The political economy of sexual and reproductive health and rights; Organizational leadership in a world of “J curve” change; Acceleration of youth participation in public decision making; and Civil service without fear or favour. Kate was United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights from 2014 to 2019 and was Assistant Secretary General and Deputy Executive Director, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) from 2012 to 2014.
Before this, she was Executive Deputy Secretary General at Amnesty International from 2000 to 2009. Amongst the skills required for the Board of Trustees, Kate can point to senior executive experience; safeguarding; and program delivery experience. She is from Oceania, currently located in France (and the USA while at Harvard). She also has lived in Australia for 40 years; the UK for 14 years; the USA for 4 years; and Switzerland for 4 years.
Katerina Ivanova
Youth Representative, HERA, North Macedonia
Katerina Ivanova is an SRHR activist from North Macedonia and a CSE peer educator at HERA. She has been volunteering at HERAYouth for four years, and is also studying economics.
Katerina Ivanova
Youth Representative, HERA, North Macedonia
Katerina Ivanova is an SRHR activist from North Macedonia and a CSE peer educator at HERA. She has been volunteering at HERAYouth for four years, and is also studying economics.
Lina Sabra
Executive Director, The Lebanese Association for Family Health (SALAMA)
Lina Sabra has a Master’s degree in Sociology.
She comes from a voluntary background as she was a youth volunteer of the Lebanon Family Planning Association for several years starting the year 2000.
She was elected as Arab World Youth Representative to the IPPF Governing Council (2003-2005).
Lina has worked with IPPF Arab World Regional Office in Tunis from 2005 to 2013 in different posts: she started as resource person and trainer (2005-2007), then Program Coordinator (2007-2009), acting Advocacy Officer (2009), and Youth Advisor (2009-2001). She has developed and implemented different youth projects on Youth Friendly Services, Men Engage, Youth Participation, Sexual & Reproductive Health and Rights SRHR of young people, and Comprehensive Sexuality Education CSE. She has developed the Youth Engagement Strategy in the Arab World, implemented regional training and conferences, developed and translated different guidelines and polices. After that, she has worked as International Consultant and Trainer with the Arab World Regional Office (2011-2013).
Lina is currently the Executive Director of the Lebanese Association for Family Health SALAMA since 2003. Additionally, she is the treasurer in the board of the LANA Network (Lebanese AIDS Network Association), and member of the MenEngage Lebanon Network’s Steering Committee.
Lina Sabra
Executive Director, The Lebanese Association for Family Health (SALAMA)
Lina Sabra has a Master’s degree in Sociology.
She comes from a voluntary background as she was a youth volunteer of the Lebanon Family Planning Association for several years starting the year 2000.
She was elected as Arab World Youth Representative to the IPPF Governing Council (2003-2005).
Lina has worked with IPPF Arab World Regional Office in Tunis from 2005 to 2013 in different posts: she started as resource person and trainer (2005-2007), then Program Coordinator (2007-2009), acting Advocacy Officer (2009), and Youth Advisor (2009-2001). She has developed and implemented different youth projects on Youth Friendly Services, Men Engage, Youth Participation, Sexual & Reproductive Health and Rights SRHR of young people, and Comprehensive Sexuality Education CSE. She has developed the Youth Engagement Strategy in the Arab World, implemented regional training and conferences, developed and translated different guidelines and polices. After that, she has worked as International Consultant and Trainer with the Arab World Regional Office (2011-2013).
Lina is currently the Executive Director of the Lebanese Association for Family Health SALAMA since 2003. Additionally, she is the treasurer in the board of the LANA Network (Lebanese AIDS Network Association), and member of the MenEngage Lebanon Network’s Steering Committee.
Lucy Esquivel
Secretary General, RedTraSex
Sex worker who in 2004 founded Asociación de Mujeres Trabajadoras Sexuales Unidas en la Esperanza (Association of Women Sex Workers United in Hope, UNES) in Paraguay. She is a feminist leader, a human rights defender and a union activist with Paraguay’s Confederación de la Clase Trabajadora (Working Class Confederation, CCT) that brings together several unions. She was Secretary General of the NGO network bringing together those working on HIV/AIDS issues in Paraguay. She coordinates two country-projects funded by the Global Fund: Expansion and Sustainability and Reducing Gaps, and is Paraguay’s permanent representative at the Country Coordination Mechanism (CCM). She coordinated the Southern Node and the Andean Region for Red de Mujeres Trabajadoras Sexuales de Latinoamérica y el Caribe (Latin American and Caribbean Women Sex Workers, RedTraSex) – a network of national women sex workers´ organizations from 15 countries across the region – and served on its Board for two periods between 2014 and 2022 as Training Secretary. She is currently RedTraSex’s Executive Secretary.
Lucy Esquivel
Secretary General, RedTraSex
Sex worker who in 2004 founded Asociación de Mujeres Trabajadoras Sexuales Unidas en la Esperanza (Association of Women Sex Workers United in Hope, UNES) in Paraguay. She is a feminist leader, a human rights defender and a union activist with Paraguay’s Confederación de la Clase Trabajadora (Working Class Confederation, CCT) that brings together several unions. She was Secretary General of the NGO network bringing together those working on HIV/AIDS issues in Paraguay. She coordinates two country-projects funded by the Global Fund: Expansion and Sustainability and Reducing Gaps, and is Paraguay’s permanent representative at the Country Coordination Mechanism (CCM). She coordinated the Southern Node and the Andean Region for Red de Mujeres Trabajadoras Sexuales de Latinoamérica y el Caribe (Latin American and Caribbean Women Sex Workers, RedTraSex) – a network of national women sex workers´ organizations from 15 countries across the region – and served on its Board for two periods between 2014 and 2022 as Training Secretary. She is currently RedTraSex’s Executive Secretary.
Magdalena Nadya
Youth Representative, Indonesian Planned Parenthood Association
Magda is the Youth Representative from Indonesian Planned Parenthood Association. She Is an ocean engineering student at Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS). Apart from Ocean Engineering, she is also and advocate and educator in Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights and feminist activism. She loves to join youth movements and volunteering in fulfillment of Human Rights. Fluent in Indonesian and English, she loves to spend my time in reading, writing, dancing and discussions. She is a self-assured person and I works well in team.
Magdalena Nadya
Youth Representative, Indonesian Planned Parenthood Association
Magda is the Youth Representative from Indonesian Planned Parenthood Association. She Is an ocean engineering student at Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS). Apart from Ocean Engineering, she is also and advocate and educator in Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights and feminist activism. She loves to join youth movements and volunteering in fulfillment of Human Rights. Fluent in Indonesian and English, she loves to spend my time in reading, writing, dancing and discussions. She is a self-assured person and I works well in team.
Mariam Al Jabaly
Youth Representative on the Board of the Lebanese Association for Family Health, President of the Arab World Region Youth Network
Mariam Al Jabaly is the youth representative on the board of the Lebanese Association for Family Health, president of the Arab World Region Youth Network, a fourth-year pharmacy student, and a volunteer in IPPF MA for three years. She supports IPPF’s goals and contributes to its implementation in Lebanon and among her peers, especially comprehensive sexuality education, which many societies lack. In her own words: “I always strive to learn and be open to new ideas and cultures so that is what we will be doing together very soon in Bogotá with my fellow youth delegates from around the world!”
Mariam Al Jabaly
Youth Representative on the Board of the Lebanese Association for Family Health, President of the Arab World Region Youth Network
Mariam Al Jabaly is the youth representative on the board of the Lebanese Association for Family Health, president of the Arab World Region Youth Network, a fourth-year pharmacy student, and a volunteer in IPPF MA for three years. She supports IPPF’s goals and contributes to its implementation in Lebanon and among her peers, especially comprehensive sexuality education, which many societies lack. In her own words: “I always strive to learn and be open to new ideas and cultures so that is what we will be doing together very soon in Bogotá with my fellow youth delegates from around the world!”
Marta Royo
Executive Director, Profamilia Colombia
Marta Royo is Executive Director of Profamilia, Colombia’s longest-standing, non-governmental organisation that provides, protects, and advocates for sexual and reproductive rights and services.
This responsibility has given her the opportunity to help achieve significant political and social transformation aimed towards improving the status of girls and women in Colombia, including, but not limited to: leading legislature on the National Policy on Sexuality and Sexual and Reproductive Rights; making sure these rights are recognised for people with disabilities; eliminating the barriers that prevent women from accessing safe abortions. In this position, she has managed to implement a successful social enterprise model, while working towards making Profamilia a sustainable organization and expanding the social impact of its programs and initiatives.
Marta Royo
Executive Director, Profamilia Colombia
Marta Royo is Executive Director of Profamilia, Colombia’s longest-standing, non-governmental organisation that provides, protects, and advocates for sexual and reproductive rights and services.
This responsibility has given her the opportunity to help achieve significant political and social transformation aimed towards improving the status of girls and women in Colombia, including, but not limited to: leading legislature on the National Policy on Sexuality and Sexual and Reproductive Rights; making sure these rights are recognised for people with disabilities; eliminating the barriers that prevent women from accessing safe abortions. In this position, she has managed to implement a successful social enterprise model, while working towards making Profamilia a sustainable organization and expanding the social impact of its programs and initiatives.
Muhammad Ali Hamad
Executive Director of the Sudanese Family Planning Association
Muhammad Ali Hamad holds a master’s degree in public administration on the thesis of
strategic management and its impact on performance in organizations.
Before joining the Sudanese Family Planning Association, he worked as Deputy Director
General of the National Center for Youth Training in Sudan. As the Executive Director of the
Sudanese Family Planning Association he has laid out a development and administrative
change plan for the association, which has greatly improved performance.
Together with his colleagues and volunteers, he led the first response in December 2020, to
meet the unmet needs in sexual and reproductive health in the Tigray refugee camps in
eastern Sudan. This rapid response was pioneering in the country. SFPA now runs two of the
largest clinics in the Um Rakuba and Al-Tunaidiba camps. Muhammad Ali Hamad remains a
passionate advocate for issues of sexual and reproductive health and rights in Sudan.
Muhammad Ali Hamad
Executive Director of the Sudanese Family Planning Association
Muhammad Ali Hamad holds a master’s degree in public administration on the thesis of
strategic management and its impact on performance in organizations.
Before joining the Sudanese Family Planning Association, he worked as Deputy Director
General of the National Center for Youth Training in Sudan. As the Executive Director of the
Sudanese Family Planning Association he has laid out a development and administrative
change plan for the association, which has greatly improved performance.
Together with his colleagues and volunteers, he led the first response in December 2020, to
meet the unmet needs in sexual and reproductive health in the Tigray refugee camps in
eastern Sudan. This rapid response was pioneering in the country. SFPA now runs two of the
largest clinics in the Um Rakuba and Al-Tunaidiba camps. Muhammad Ali Hamad remains a
passionate advocate for issues of sexual and reproductive health and rights in Sudan.
Mwape Kaunda
Youth board member at Planned Parenthood Association of Zambia and YAM Zambia President
Mwape Kaunda is the 22-year-old youth board member at Planned Parenthood Association of Zambia and the YAM Zambia President. Also a social worker, her focus and passion is adolescent health and sexual Reproductive health and rights.
Mwape Kaunda
Youth board member at Planned Parenthood Association of Zambia and YAM Zambia President
Mwape Kaunda is the 22-year-old youth board member at Planned Parenthood Association of Zambia and the YAM Zambia President. Also a social worker, her focus and passion is adolescent health and sexual Reproductive health and rights.
Myr Olivares Bonilla
Youth Representative, Planned Parenthood Federation of America
Myr Olivares is a queer latine bilingual health educator at Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast, now based in Houston, Texas (southeast of United States), offering inclusive sex education, training and resources to students, parents, teachers, professionals, and other organizations. Olivares has been with PPGC since January 2020, just before the pandemic. Olivares started young, at 11 years old as a peer educator, delivering comprehensive sexuality education with Profamilias, Puerto Rico, where they are originally from. They later become a youth representative on the Board of Directors of the organization. In this role they also served as a youth speaker and youth advisor on abortion stigma for the former IPPF’s Western Hemisphere Region (IPPF-WHR). They graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Foreign Languages (Italian and French), and Gender and Women Studies from the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras, and did studies at the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Milan, Italy. They are a sexual health education content and curriculum advisor and creator, leading the Queering Sex Ed Initiative at their affiliate, and promoting educational sessions that include the intersectional experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals. Last year they participated of the Global Youth Ambassador Fellowship Program with their colleague Nikki Banneyer where they lead the F.L.A.S.H. (Families Learning About Sexual Health) Project. They are part of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Roundtable, and a chat educator and mentor for the Chat/Text and Chatea/Textea Program for the national Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA). When they are not out in the community, they are also a poet and a writer, they enjoy creativity, music, reading, learning languages, and also dancing.
Myr Olivares Bonilla
Youth Representative, Planned Parenthood Federation of America
Myr Olivares is a queer latine bilingual health educator at Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast, now based in Houston, Texas (southeast of United States), offering inclusive sex education, training and resources to students, parents, teachers, professionals, and other organizations. Olivares has been with PPGC since January 2020, just before the pandemic. Olivares started young, at 11 years old as a peer educator, delivering comprehensive sexuality education with Profamilias, Puerto Rico, where they are originally from. They later become a youth representative on the Board of Directors of the organization. In this role they also served as a youth speaker and youth advisor on abortion stigma for the former IPPF’s Western Hemisphere Region (IPPF-WHR). They graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Foreign Languages (Italian and French), and Gender and Women Studies from the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras, and did studies at the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Milan, Italy. They are a sexual health education content and curriculum advisor and creator, leading the Queering Sex Ed Initiative at their affiliate, and promoting educational sessions that include the intersectional experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals. Last year they participated of the Global Youth Ambassador Fellowship Program with their colleague Nikki Banneyer where they lead the F.L.A.S.H. (Families Learning About Sexual Health) Project. They are part of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Roundtable, and a chat educator and mentor for the Chat/Text and Chatea/Textea Program for the national Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA). When they are not out in the community, they are also a poet and a writer, they enjoy creativity, music, reading, learning languages, and also dancing.
Dr. Natalia Kanem
Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
Dr. Natalia Kanem is United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency. With over three decades of strategic leadership experience in public health, social justice and philanthropy, Dr. Kanem is a medical doctor with specializations in epidemiology, preventive medicine and maternal-child health. Her entire career has been devoted to research and advocacy towards improving the lives and livelihoods of women and girls.
Dr. Natalia Kanem
Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
Dr. Natalia Kanem is United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency. With over three decades of strategic leadership experience in public health, social justice and philanthropy, Dr. Kanem is a medical doctor with specializations in epidemiology, preventive medicine and maternal-child health. Her entire career has been devoted to research and advocacy towards improving the lives and livelihoods of women and girls.
Neish McLean
Chair of IPPF Nominations and Governance Committee
An external member, Neish is the Program Officer for the Caribbean at Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice (Astraea) and currently serves as the Chair of the Nominations and Governance Committee (NGC). Neish brings expertise in trans organizing, movement building and community care to philanthropy and governance. Additionally, Neish provides technical grantmaking support to GiveOut and the ACTIF Fund. Amongst the skills required for the NGC, Neish can point to leadership in SRHR; program delivery experience; and experience of advocacy and working with government. Neish is from Jamaica and is based in New Jersey, USA.
Neish McLean
Chair of IPPF Nominations and Governance Committee
An external member, Neish is the Program Officer for the Caribbean at Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice (Astraea) and currently serves as the Chair of the Nominations and Governance Committee (NGC). Neish brings expertise in trans organizing, movement building and community care to philanthropy and governance. Additionally, Neish provides technical grantmaking support to GiveOut and the ACTIF Fund. Amongst the skills required for the NGC, Neish can point to leadership in SRHR; program delivery experience; and experience of advocacy and working with government. Neish is from Jamaica and is based in New Jersey, USA.
Niko Nagy
Youth Representative of inTYMYta
Niko Nagy is the youth representative of inTYMYta, formerly known as the Slovak Family Planning Association, where they lead a project focused on creating relationship-and-sexuality education resources for young people. They work in campaigns and education departments in a human-rights NGO and remotely study translations and interpretation at a university in Slovakia. They are a part of several leftist activist collectives and queer organizations. They come from a mixed Slovak-Hungarian background and grew up in a rural part of Slovakia, close to the Hungarian border. Niko is mostly passionate about sexuality education with a sex-positive approach. Their key values are radical care, community-building, collective and non-hierarchical organizing and accessibility. They also excessively work on fighting class inequality.
Niko Nagy
Youth Representative of inTYMYta
Niko Nagy is the youth representative of inTYMYta, formerly known as the Slovak Family Planning Association, where they lead a project focused on creating relationship-and-sexuality education resources for young people. They work in campaigns and education departments in a human-rights NGO and remotely study translations and interpretation at a university in Slovakia. They are a part of several leftist activist collectives and queer organizations. They come from a mixed Slovak-Hungarian background and grew up in a rural part of Slovakia, close to the Hungarian border. Niko is mostly passionate about sexuality education with a sex-positive approach. Their key values are radical care, community-building, collective and non-hierarchical organizing and accessibility. They also excessively work on fighting class inequality.
Pamela Kandonga Kazombo
Board Chair of Malawi Family Planning Association
She is a dynamic, enthusiastic, skilled and reliable leader and economist with wide experience from both the private and non-governmental sector as well as the academia. In addition, she volunteers her skills and time for causes she is so passionate about. She is passionate about empowering young girls with information so that they can make informed choices about their lives as such takes time to volunteer her time and skills at Family planning association whose mission is in line with her passion.
She holds an M.A. in Economics and B.A degree in Social Sciences both from the University of Malawi. Currently working as Dean of Academic Affairs at Jubilee University. She has worked as Executive director for Development Resource for Action Mentorship (DREAM) a local CSO based in Kasungu focusing on child rights protection and has also worked at Afrox Malawi Limited as Supply Chain Manager.
Pamela Kandonga Kazombo
Board Chair of Malawi Family Planning Association
She is a dynamic, enthusiastic, skilled and reliable leader and economist with wide experience from both the private and non-governmental sector as well as the academia. In addition, she volunteers her skills and time for causes she is so passionate about. She is passionate about empowering young girls with information so that they can make informed choices about their lives as such takes time to volunteer her time and skills at Family planning association whose mission is in line with her passion.
She holds an M.A. in Economics and B.A degree in Social Sciences both from the University of Malawi. Currently working as Dean of Academic Affairs at Jubilee University. She has worked as Executive director for Development Resource for Action Mentorship (DREAM) a local CSO based in Kasungu focusing on child rights protection and has also worked at Afrox Malawi Limited as Supply Chain Manager.
Professor Rose-Marie Belle Antoine
President of the Family Planning Association of Trinidad and Tobago and Member of IPPF Board of Trustees
Professor Rose-Marie Belle Antoine is Pro Vice Chancellor Research and Graduate studies at the University of the West Indies and held the role of Dean of the Faculty of Law from 2013 to 2021, . She was previously the Inaugural Head of the Special Unit on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), an autonomous organ of the Organization of American States (OAS) and also served as Rapporteur on Indigenous Peoples between 2013 and 2015. Professor Antoine has been President of the Family Planning Association of Trinidad and Tobago since 2015. Amongst the skills required for the Board of Trustees, Professor Antoine can point to legal expertise; SRHR leadership and networks; and national governance. She is from the Caribbean, currently located in St. Lucia. She identifies as a woman.
Professor Rose-Marie Belle Antoine
President of the Family Planning Association of Trinidad and Tobago and Member of IPPF Board of Trustees
Professor Rose-Marie Belle Antoine is Pro Vice Chancellor Research and Graduate studies at the University of the West Indies and held the role of Dean of the Faculty of Law from 2013 to 2021, . She was previously the Inaugural Head of the Special Unit on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), an autonomous organ of the Organization of American States (OAS) and also served as Rapporteur on Indigenous Peoples between 2013 and 2015. Professor Antoine has been President of the Family Planning Association of Trinidad and Tobago since 2015. Amongst the skills required for the Board of Trustees, Professor Antoine can point to legal expertise; SRHR leadership and networks; and national governance. She is from the Caribbean, currently located in St. Lucia. She identifies as a woman.
Dr. Rathnamala Mallikarjun Desai
Chair, Family Planning Association of India
Dr. Rathnamala, the Chair of the Family Planning Association of India is also the Dean of Faculty-Medical at Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwar University, Dharwad and a Professor of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, SDMCMS & Hospital. She the Country Coordinator & Mentor/Coach for India, Geneva Foundation for Medical Education and Research (GFMER), Switzerland and an Expert Group Member of Comprehensive Abortion Care (CAC) – Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India. She has been awarded with the “Lifetime Achievement Award” by Karnataka State Obstetrics and Gynecology Association state on recognition of her outstanding service towards Womanhood and Medical Education.
Dr. Rathnamala Mallikarjun Desai
Chair, Family Planning Association of India
Dr. Rathnamala, the Chair of the Family Planning Association of India is also the Dean of Faculty-Medical at Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwar University, Dharwad and a Professor of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, SDMCMS & Hospital. She the Country Coordinator & Mentor/Coach for India, Geneva Foundation for Medical Education and Research (GFMER), Switzerland and an Expert Group Member of Comprehensive Abortion Care (CAC) – Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India. She has been awarded with the “Lifetime Achievement Award” by Karnataka State Obstetrics and Gynecology Association state on recognition of her outstanding service towards Womanhood and Medical Education.
Rosa Ayong Tchonang
Member of the IPPF Board of Trustees
An MA volunteer, Rosa Ayong Tchonang has been an Advisor and Representative of the Youth Action Movement at the National Executive Bureau of the Cameroon National Association for Family Welfare since 2013. Rosa completed her Degree in Administration and Business Management at the University of Yaoundé in 2020. Amongst the skills required for the Board of Trustees, Rosa can point to knowledge of youth networking and youth action; experience of advocacy and working with government; and peer-to-peer service delivery. She is from Central Africa, currently located in Cameroon. Rosa is under 25 years old at this time.
Rosa Ayong Tchonang
Member of the IPPF Board of Trustees
An MA volunteer, Rosa Ayong Tchonang has been an Advisor and Representative of the Youth Action Movement at the National Executive Bureau of the Cameroon National Association for Family Welfare since 2013. Rosa completed her Degree in Administration and Business Management at the University of Yaoundé in 2020. Amongst the skills required for the Board of Trustees, Rosa can point to knowledge of youth networking and youth action; experience of advocacy and working with government; and peer-to-peer service delivery. She is from Central Africa, currently located in Cameroon. Rosa is under 25 years old at this time.
Sami Natsheh
President of the Palestinian Family Planning and Protection Association and Member of IPPF Board of Trustees
Sami Natsheh has worked in the municipality of Hebron, as Head of the Tenders and Purchases Department since 2012. He holds a BA in Business Administration from Al-Quds Open University. Sami is President of the Palestinian Family Planning and Protection Association. He has volunteered with the PFPPA since 2005 and was the first youth representative in the administrative body at that time in Hebron. Amongst the skills required for the Board of Trustees, Sami can point to SRHR leadership and networks; national governance experience; and youth empowerment networks. He is from the Middle East, currently located in Palestine. Sami identifies as part of an under-served community.
Sami Natsheh
President of the Palestinian Family Planning and Protection Association and Member of IPPF Board of Trustees
Sami Natsheh has worked in the municipality of Hebron, as Head of the Tenders and Purchases Department since 2012. He holds a BA in Business Administration from Al-Quds Open University. Sami is President of the Palestinian Family Planning and Protection Association. He has volunteered with the PFPPA since 2005 and was the first youth representative in the administrative body at that time in Hebron. Amongst the skills required for the Board of Trustees, Sami can point to SRHR leadership and networks; national governance experience; and youth empowerment networks. He is from the Middle East, currently located in Palestine. Sami identifies as part of an under-served community.
Santiago Cosio
Member of the IPPF Board of Trustees
An MA volunteer, Santiago Cosio is Chief Executive at Bodegas de Santo Tomás. He holds an MBA from the Institute of Technology and Higher Education in Monterrey (TEC Monterrey), and from the University of Texas in Austin. He is involved in various sustainable rural development projects, mainly in indigenous community areas, such as the Fondo FIDES, LU’UM Desarrollo Rural Sustentable AC, Mercado del 100, and Yomol A’tel. Santiago is a Member of the Executive Committee at MEXFAM and was President of MEXFAM for eight years previously. He has been an MA volunteer since 1993. Amongst the skills required for the Board of Trustees, Santiago can point to marketing; senior executive experience; and SRHR leadership and networks. He is from Latin America, currently located in Mexico.
Santiago Cosio
Member of the IPPF Board of Trustees
An MA volunteer, Santiago Cosio is Chief Executive at Bodegas de Santo Tomás. He holds an MBA from the Institute of Technology and Higher Education in Monterrey (TEC Monterrey), and from the University of Texas in Austin. He is involved in various sustainable rural development projects, mainly in indigenous community areas, such as the Fondo FIDES, LU’UM Desarrollo Rural Sustentable AC, Mercado del 100, and Yomol A’tel. Santiago is a Member of the Executive Committee at MEXFAM and was President of MEXFAM for eight years previously. He has been an MA volunteer since 1993. Amongst the skills required for the Board of Trustees, Santiago can point to marketing; senior executive experience; and SRHR leadership and networks. He is from Latin America, currently located in Mexico.
Surakshya Giri
Youth Member of the IPPF Board of Trustees
An MA volunteer, Surakshya Giri was a Youth Champion at the Family Planning Association of Nepal from 2018 to 2019 and has been an active youth member for the last five years. She is a teacher and is currently studying for a Masters of Counseling Psychology at the University Tribhuvan University.
Amongst the skills required for the Board of Trustees, Surakshya can point to knowledge of youth networking and youth action; leadership in SRHR; and peer-to-peer service delivery. She is from South Asia, currently located in Nepal. Surakshya is under 25 years old at this time.
Surakshya Giri
Youth Member of the IPPF Board of Trustees
An MA volunteer, Surakshya Giri was a Youth Champion at the Family Planning Association of Nepal from 2018 to 2019 and has been an active youth member for the last five years. She is a teacher and is currently studying for a Masters of Counseling Psychology at the University Tribhuvan University.
Amongst the skills required for the Board of Trustees, Surakshya can point to knowledge of youth networking and youth action; leadership in SRHR; and peer-to-peer service delivery. She is from South Asia, currently located in Nepal. Surakshya is under 25 years old at this time.
Tara Meister
Youth Board Member of the Austrian MA (ÖGF)
Tara Meister is youth board member of the Austrian MA (ÖGF) and a member of the IPPF youth network YSAFE.
She is in her final year of med school, planning to specialise in gynaecology and obstetrics. Over the last four years she has been working in CSE voluntarily as well as in online consulting for women experiencing domestic violence.
She is also a published author and spoken word poet, with several plays and short stories on queer-feminist topics.
Tara Meister
Youth Board Member of the Austrian MA (ÖGF)
Tara Meister is youth board member of the Austrian MA (ÖGF) and a member of the IPPF youth network YSAFE.
She is in her final year of med school, planning to specialise in gynaecology and obstetrics. Over the last four years she has been working in CSE voluntarily as well as in online consulting for women experiencing domestic violence.
She is also a published author and spoken word poet, with several plays and short stories on queer-feminist topics.
Tashaya Anuki Premachandra
General Secretary of the Family Planning Association of Sri Lanka
Anuki Premachandra is the Senior Communications Officer at IREX Sri Lanka. She also sits on the FPA Sri Lanka board as its General Secretary. She comes from a background of public policy and advocacy and is committed to improving economic freedom for women in Sri Lanka. She studied International Relations at the University of London and prior to joining IREX, she has been working in the field of PR and communications. Previously at a local think tank, Advocata and at the World Bank in Sri Lanka as a part of their communications team. She was also listed under Cosmopolitan Magazine’s “35 under 35”, 2020 in Sri Lanka. She has contributed to chapters in publications related to economic freedom and women internationally and her work has been quoted on Reuters and the Cato Podcast.
Tashaya Anuki Premachandra
General Secretary of the Family Planning Association of Sri Lanka
Anuki Premachandra is the Senior Communications Officer at IREX Sri Lanka. She also sits on the FPA Sri Lanka board as its General Secretary. She comes from a background of public policy and advocacy and is committed to improving economic freedom for women in Sri Lanka. She studied International Relations at the University of London and prior to joining IREX, she has been working in the field of PR and communications. Previously at a local think tank, Advocata and at the World Bank in Sri Lanka as a part of their communications team. She was also listed under Cosmopolitan Magazine’s “35 under 35”, 2020 in Sri Lanka. She has contributed to chapters in publications related to economic freedom and women internationally and her work has been quoted on Reuters and the Cato Podcast.
Ulukbek Batyrgaliev
Member of the IPPF Board of Trustees
An MA volunteer, Ulukbek Batyrgaliev has been National Trainer since 2015, and Chair of National Youth Committee at the Reproductive Health Alliance of Kyrgyzstan since 2016. Currently, he is a student in the Psychology Department of the American University of Central Asia, where he is also Coordinator of the AUCA Debate Club. Since 2019, he has been a Y SAFE Steering Committee Member and a Youth Focal Point of Kyrgyz Republic at the global platform for Family Planning 2020. Amongst the skills required for the Board of Trustees, Ulukbek can point to knowledge of youth networking and youth action; leadership in SRHR; and peer-to-peer service delivery. He is from Central Asia, currently located in Kyrgyzstan. Ulukbek is under 25 years old at this time.
Ulukbek Batyrgaliev
Member of the IPPF Board of Trustees
An MA volunteer, Ulukbek Batyrgaliev has been National Trainer since 2015, and Chair of National Youth Committee at the Reproductive Health Alliance of Kyrgyzstan since 2016. Currently, he is a student in the Psychology Department of the American University of Central Asia, where he is also Coordinator of the AUCA Debate Club. Since 2019, he has been a Y SAFE Steering Committee Member and a Youth Focal Point of Kyrgyz Republic at the global platform for Family Planning 2020. Amongst the skills required for the Board of Trustees, Ulukbek can point to knowledge of youth networking and youth action; leadership in SRHR; and peer-to-peer service delivery. He is from Central Asia, currently located in Kyrgyzstan. Ulukbek is under 25 years old at this time.
Dr. Waimarama Matena
Regional Youth Representative for the PPF ESEAO Region on the Governing Council
Dr Matena is a medical doctor with a special interest in women’s and children’s health, indigenous health, and socioeconomic determinants of health.
She has a long record of activism in IPPF. She joined the Council of NZ Family Planning Association in 2018 as a youth representative, and in 2019 she was elected as the regional youth representative for the, then, IPPF ESEAO Region on the Governing Council. She was instrumental in the 2019 IPPF reform and active member of the Transition Committee.
Dr Matena is an active member of her community engaging in health volunteer work, academic tutoring, and mentoring of other aspiring Maori doctors. She worked with indigenous rights and policy at The Waitangi Tribunal Unit.
Dr. Waimarama Matena
Regional Youth Representative for the PPF ESEAO Region on the Governing Council
Dr Matena is a medical doctor with a special interest in women’s and children’s health, indigenous health, and socioeconomic determinants of health.
She has a long record of activism in IPPF. She joined the Council of NZ Family Planning Association in 2018 as a youth representative, and in 2019 she was elected as the regional youth representative for the, then, IPPF ESEAO Region on the Governing Council. She was instrumental in the 2019 IPPF reform and active member of the Transition Committee.
Dr Matena is an active member of her community engaging in health volunteer work, academic tutoring, and mentoring of other aspiring Maori doctors. She worked with indigenous rights and policy at The Waitangi Tribunal Unit.
Youssef Hagag
Youth Representative of Egypt in IPPF General Assembly and Secretary-general of EFPA Egypt (Menofia)
Youssef Hagag is a 22-year-old from Egyptian whose goal is to be “your favorite future doctor”. He is the Youth Representative of Egypt in IPPF General Assembly and Secretary-general of EFPA Egypt (Menofia). He brings his passion for SRHR into practice as a peer educator in Y-Peer Egypt. He is an active volunteer in a range of NGOs including MSSA and EMSA, and is also a freelancer video editor, designer, voice actor, writer and poet. His favorite quote is: “Be curious, not judgmental”
Youssef Hagag
Youth Representative of Egypt in IPPF General Assembly and Secretary-general of EFPA Egypt (Menofia)
Youssef Hagag is a 22-year-old from Egyptian whose goal is to be “your favorite future doctor”. He is the Youth Representative of Egypt in IPPF General Assembly and Secretary-general of EFPA Egypt (Menofia). He brings his passion for SRHR into practice as a peer educator in Y-Peer Egypt. He is an active volunteer in a range of NGOs including MSSA and EMSA, and is also a freelancer video editor, designer, voice actor, writer and poet. His favorite quote is: “Be curious, not judgmental”
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