The global secretariat of the Global Validation Advisory Committee (GVAC) on the validation of elimination of mother-to-child transmission (EMTCT) or vertical transmission of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B virus (HBV) has considered the appointment of two new members to the committee. The new members bring legal and policy expertise in human rights and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and advocacy experience with communities of women living with HIV to the GVAC. With these appointments, the global secretariat underscores the critical importance of assessing human rights, gender equality and community engagement in the global processes for validation of EMTCT.
- Ms Nyasha Chingore-Munazvo, human rights lawyer and Programmes Lead at AIDS and Rights Alliance in Southern Africa (ARASA), Namibia, to the Global Validation Advisory Committee (GVAC). Ms Chingore-Munazvo will bring expertise in human rights, gender equality and community engagement to the GVAC.
- Ms Precious Shongwe, development practitioner and Acting National Coordinator, Swaziland National Network of Young Positives (SNYP+), Eswatini, to the Global Validation Advisory Committee (GVAC). Ms Shongwe will bring expertise in human rights, gender equality and community engagement to the GVAC.
In order to enhance WHO’s management of conflicts of interest, as well as strengthen public trust and transparency in connection with WHO advisory groups involving the provision of technical advice, the names and brief biographies of individuals being considered for assignment to WHO advisory groups are disclosed for public notice and comment.
The comments received by WHO through the public notice and comment process are treated confidentially and their receipt will be acknowledged through a generic email notification to the sender. Comments and perceptions brought to the attention of WHO through this process are an integral component of WHO’s conflict of interest assessment policy and are carefully reviewed. WHO reserves the right to discuss information received through this process with the relevant expert with no attribution to the provider of such information. Upon review and assessment of the information received through this process, WHO, in its sole discretion, may take appropriate management action in accordance with its policies.
The list of participating experts, a summary of relevant interests disclosed by such experts, and any appropriate mitigation measures taken by WHO relating to the management of conflicts of interests, will be reported publically in accordance with WHO practice.
The deadline for public comments is 4 February 2022. Please send your comment to [email protected] with subject, “Public comments on new GVAC members.”