The executive director of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), Winnie Byanyima, has been honoured with the prestigious Amsterdam Dinner Award for her outstanding contributions to AIDS prevention.
The Amsterdam Dinner, attended by a gathering of more than 1000 guests, served as the backdrop for presenting Byanyima with the award.
In her acceptance speech, she dedicated this accolade to all individuals living with HIV, with a special mention of her brother Bernard. Tragically, Bernard halted his treatment due to the immense stigma he faced, ultimately succumbing not to AIDS itself, but to the impact of societal prejudice.
Byanyima firmly believes that her brother’s untimely demise was a result of the pervasive stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS. She continues to advocate for eradicating this harmful stigma from society.
The Amsterdam Dinner Award has been bestowed annually since 2016 upon individuals actively engaged in the fight against AIDS. This year marked the 31st edition of the event, which successfully raised €1,350,000.
The funds raised will be directed towards HIV prevention initiatives aimed at empowering women and girls, both within the Netherlands and internationally.