My name is Nyasha Phanisa Sithole and I come from Zimbabwe. I have a background in Sociology and Gender Development studies and see myself as a feminist and advocate for girls and womens rights with focus on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and HIV prevention.

When I was still in high school I was first trained as an HIV and AIDS peer educator, and since that moment my passion for public health programming that supports wellbeing of girls and women has not ceased.

Gender inequality, stigma, discrimination and unequal access

Women and girls in sub-Saharan Africa continue to be disproportionally impacted by HIV and SRHR challenges and significant social and structural barriers, including gender inequality, stigma, discrimination and unequal access to essential health services and education.

Girls, young women and women continue to be marginalised, excluded, left behind and in some cases criminalised due to current policies and laws which restrict their agency and autonomy in participating in public health programmes focusing on HIV prevention and SRHR and their overall wellbeing.

I have over the years channeled my energy, expertise and experience to ensure that I represent girls and women and also support capacity strengthening of advocates and activists to create stronger movements of girls and women in the African region.

Support girls and young women

As the work I have been doing has been evolving, I had greater interest to study the MPH programme, especially the SRHR track. I hope to gain extensive knowledge and skills and create networks and linkages that can enable me to be a public health leader, promoter and community researcher. Post graduate I intend to fully use newly acquired knowledge and skills to support girls and young women and offer consultancy services to the government of Zimbabwe to improve public health programmes for women and girls related to SRHR and HIV including promotion of human rights and social justice.

Fellows 2021 – 2022