Winnie Byanyima

Winnie Byanyima

Winnie Byanyima is the executive director of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS. A grass-roots activist, human rights advocate, and world-recognized expert on women’s rights, she began her career as an engineer in her native Uganda. Appointed to the diplomatic service in 1989, she represented Uganda in France and at UNESCO. She was a member of parliament for 10 years in Uganda, and thereafter served at the African Union Commission. She was UNDP’s director of gender and development between 2006 and 2013.

Latest Articles

Opinion: Pharma profiteering isn’t going away, and so we can’t either

Opinion: Pharma profiteering isn’t going away, and so we can’t either

over 1 year ago // Global health

Here’s why the People’s Vaccine Alliance is rebranding as People’s Medicine Alliance.

Opinion: Stop mothers dying by letting women lead global health

Opinion: Stop mothers dying by letting women lead global health

over 2 years ago // Global Health

Advancing more women — particularly women of color — into leadership positions requires society-wide, institutional, and individual transformations. WomenLift Health's Amie Batson and UNAIDS' Winnie Byanyima map out how in this opinion article.

Opinion: Here's how we'll beat AIDS — with a new era of leadership

Opinion: Here's how we'll beat AIDS — with a new era of leadership

almost 6 years ago // Decade of Delivery

This must be the decade of acceleration in the fight against HIV/AIDS, UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima writes in this op-ed. Here are six areas where courageous leadership is needed.

Opinion: INGOs — it's time for us to go further, faster

Opinion: INGOs — it's time for us to go further, faster

about 6 years ago // NGOs

As Winnie Byanyima transitions from leading Oxfam International to taking the helm of UNAIDS, she reflects on the 'unfinished transformation' of international NGOs — and what needs to come next.

Opinion: For-profit schools increase inequality. Here's why.

Opinion: For-profit schools increase inequality. Here's why.

about 6 years ago // Education

For-profit schools are not the answer to the challenges in reaching universal education, writes Oxfam International chief Winnie Byanyima.

UHC: A spoonful of sugar to ensure health care for everyone

UHC: A spoonful of sugar to ensure health care for everyone

almost 11 years ago // European health month

Health care does not have to be a luxury. But to achieve universal health care in developing countries, health systems must be financed and delivered in the right away. An exclusive op-ed from Oxfam International Executive Director Winnie Byanyima.

A challenge to global leaders: Rewrite corporate tax rules to close wealth gap

A challenge to global leaders: Rewrite corporate tax rules to close wealth gap

about 11 years ago // Winnie Byanyima on inequality

Ahead of the World Economic Forum's annual meeting this week, Winnie Byanyima warns that extreme and rising inequality is fast becoming the most pressing development issue — but global leaders can change policies to reverse the trend. An insider's take from Oxfam International's executive director.

Ending poverty through sustainable development and leaving no one behind

Ending poverty through sustainable development and leaving no one behind

over 11 years ago // NY #GlobalDev Week

Smart political and financial investments are needed if we want to keep the momentum on achieving the Millennium Development Goals as the 2015 deadline approaches. A guest opinion by the executive director of Oxfam International and the U.N. secretary-general's special adviser on post-2015 development planning.

The solutions to tackle global challenges are within our grasp

The solutions to tackle global challenges are within our grasp

over 11 years ago // #MDGMomentum

Eradicating poverty and inequality, removing barriers to rights and opportunities for women, and living sustainably must be the basis of the post-2015 global development framework, Oxfam International Executive Director Winnie Byanyima writes in this guest opinion.

When women go unheard

When women go unheard

almost 12 years ago // #SheBuilds the Future: Winnie Byanyima

Let's change the way we think about leadership — as a way to collaborate, build strength collectively and encourage inclusivity. An exclusive guest opinion by Oxfam International’s Executive Director Winnie Byanyima.