Rustika Banzi wins the ICWEA’s FIERCE Award in Tanzania for her outstanding contributions in the field of HIV and AIDS. As a dedicated community health worker and PLHIV cluster leader, Rustika has been instrumental in providing crucial counselling and raising awareness about HIV and AIDS within her community.
One of Rustika’s remarkable achievements is her advocacy for nutrition health among PLHIV, with a special focus on supporting mothers and children. She has tirelessly worked to ensure that those living with HIV understand the importance of proper nutrition and adhere to their medication, empowering them to lead healthy and fulfilling lives.
In addition, Rustika has been an inspiring mentor to young girls, particularly those who are HIV positive, in schools and colleges. Her unwavering support and guidance have helped these girls embrace their status, overcome challenges, and pursue their dreams. Through her efforts, Rustika has successfully established 11 HIV/AIDS groups, where she imparts essential economic and entrepreneurship education to empower individuals to become financially independent.
Rustika Banzi’s dedication, compassion, and impactful work have made a significant difference in the lives of many affected by HIV and AIDS. Her achievements truly exemplify the spirit of the FIERCE Awards. Congratulations, Rustika, on this well-deserved recognition!
In 2021, ICWEA launched the F.I.E.R.C.E. (Fighter, Intelligent, Empowered, Resilient, Courageous and Excelling) Awards. The Goal of the campaign is to recognise the contribution of women and girl’s networks in the HIV response in the region.
ICWEA made a decision to recognize and celebrate the achievements made by women living with HIV after a distressing experience of the sudden demise of 2 great women living with HIV who had dedicated their lives in fighting for the lives of women and girls living with HIV in Kenya and in Rwanda who both served as Country Coordinators at the time of their deaths.
Unfortunately, ICWEA was not able to honor their great contribution and great work while the two were still alive. ICWEA would like to remember and celebrate the lives of women living with HIV at all levels who have made a positive change by being influencers or those that have given and are still giving leadership to our movement. “Movement Building is a process of organizing or helping to activate the will of people to work individually or as collectively towards a vision they all share.”
ICWEA will not wait for their demise to appreciate their work, but will recognize them and use their works, experience and knowledge to encourage others to thrive for the best.
The objective of the campaign is to motivate more young women leaders in their diversity to come-out and take up the leadership mantle to challenge stigma and discrimination and other social challenges they face as they become future leaders.
#FIERCEAwards #HIVResponse #InspiringLeadership.
