Press Statement

GENEVA, 16 November 2020—UNAIDS is delighted to announce the appointment of Suki Beavers to the position of Director, Gender Equality, Human Rights and Community Engagement in UNAIDS Programme Branch.

Ms Beavers will be joining from the National Association of Women and the Law in Canada, where in her position as Executive Director, she led efforts to develop high quality feminist legal analysis and law reform strategies to advance the rights and empowerment of women in all their diversity.

“With a wealth of experience in women’s rights and empowerment, sexual and gender-based violence, sexual and reproductive health, and human rights Ms Beavers will be a huge asset to UNAIDS,” said Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS. “Her passion and dedication in standing up for the rights of women and the most vulnerable will be invaluable in advancing UNAIDS work in these critical areas.”

In her new role Ms Beavers will be leading UNAIDS work to address human rights challenges, including stigma and discrimination, inequality and violence against women and girls, misuse of criminal law and punitive approaches which remain among the main barriers to effective HIV responses. She will also oversee UNAIDS work on achieving gender equality, advancing women’s empowerment and fulfilling the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women and girls. In addition, she will be leading work to support the critical role of community action in advocacy, participation and coordination of AIDS responses and service delivery.

“I am honoured to be joining UNAIDS, especially now as we work to scale up the global, regional, national and local efforts required to advance the rights of women and girls, end stigma and discrimination, and strengthen and expand community engagement as critical components of the HIV response,” said Ms Beavers. 

UNAIDS would also like to thank Luisa Cabal for assuming the role of interim Director of the Department since June 2019.