The International Community of women living with HIV Eastern Africa (ICWEA) family is saddened by the news of the passing of Inviolata Mbwavi, who until her death was the Country Coordinator for ICW Kenya Chapter.
We send our condolences to her Daughter, the family, colleagues, friends and all those that have known her.
Inviolata leaves a legacy behind and will be remembered for her strong voice, championing the cause of people living with HIV, women issues and priorities, gender and human rights.
“Inviolata has always been a woman determined to win in all struggles and never gave up. She was a leader, a mentor, an advocate, an activist, a friend, a sister and lastly but not least a mother, Dorothy, ICWEA’s Manager that worked closely with her says.
Inviolata was among the few women that stood up and unveiled that coerced sterilization of women living with HIV in Kenya was happening.
She will be remembered as a strong and passionate leader – at NEPHAK where she served as the Coordinator, ICW where she served as an Interim Coordinator and ICW Kenya Chapter where she has since its inception, served as the Country Coordinator. She was able to move things even when she had no resources, put together the first ICW -Kenya Strategic Plan, a Constitution and by the time of her passing, she had raised resources including from the Global Fund and she was leading the implementation of the Global Fund project after having worked hard to get it as she always said, “women living with HIV must be part of the implementing team – nothing for us without us”
Inviolata leaves us indebted to her, “she gave the world life, gave birth to so many especially young women who looked up to her as their role model, she empowered many with transformational leadership skills and she leaves with a question, did the world give her what she deserved?” one ICWEA member’s tribute.
Rest well comrade Inviolata, you gave your all to the world, to women and girls, may you be given abundant life where you are now! Lillian Mworeko’s send-off message
Inviolata will be missed by the women movement and fraternity.
May your untimely departure give us more strength and energy to do more so that one day we can have universal and comprehensive services accessible to all wherever they are.
ICWEA family
