The Steering Group of Women4Global Fund (W4GF) is pleased to announce that Ángela León Cáceres from Ecuador has been appointed as our new Global Coordinator, with effect from August 2022. Ángela is a feminist, sensitive, and empathic health advocate and researcher, guided by the principles of humanity, active listening, and sharing; committed to overcoming stigma, discrimination, racism, and structural inequalities for women in all their diversity.
Ángela comes to W4GF with a decade of policy and advocacy experience working mainly in low-income, rural, and indigenous communities to advance access to health as a human right and improve social justice environments for the most vulnerable populations. “Working in emergency contexts and in different countries afforded me the opportunity to develop myself in high-complex settings and experience many multicultural environments. I have been inspired by amazing and intelligent women in different contexts and realities. My responsibility and commitment now is to be able to work with them through participatory and meaningful leadership” said Ángela.
We also take this opportunity to recognise the tireless work by the outgoing Global Coordinator, Sophie Dilmitis. Over the six years of Sophie’s leadership, W4GF has become a respected entity and a key stakeholder to the Global Fund and country partners, holding the Global Fund accountable on their commitments and promises around gender. We are very grateful to Sophie for the passion and commitment she put into W4GF and amplifying the voices of women to advocate for Global Fund resources and processes that advance gender equality
As Global Coordinator, Ángela will continue this leadership to further strengthen technical and human capacities for human rights and gender equality, to improve gender-related outcomes and priorities in the Global Fund for women and girls in all their diversity. She will consolidate and build on our strong track record of partnership development through active communication, the use of new platforms, and the strengthening of stakeholder networks. “My aim is to strengthen mechanisms, improve spaces and opportunities for women to participate in Global Fund decision-making processes and position the importance of delivery of rights-based HIV, TB and malaria responses; by linking the global level to the grassroots’ to achieve sustainable development through health,” indicated Ángela.
“I envision W4GF as a leading global organization, mainstreaming key issues on gender equality, accountability, and promotion of leadership of women and girls in the field of HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis. I see W4GF with stronger networks and collaborative links with key actors, ensuring that programs include full and sustained financing that meet the rights of women in all of our diversity”, said Ángela.
Please join us in welcoming Ángela into this exciting new path for W4GF; with her arrival we renew our highest commitment to make the Global Fund responsive and accountable to the needs of women living with (& affected by) HIV, Tuberculosis, and malaria.
Yours in solidarity,
Sonal Mehta and Lesley Odendal
Chair and Vice-Chair of W4GF Steering Group
