The Executive Director of UNAIDS, Michel Sidibé, welcomed Lorena Castillo de Varela, First Lady of Panama, to UNAIDS headquarters on 24 May. During their meeting, they reviewed Ms Castillo’s achievements since being named UNAIDS Special Ambassador for AIDS in Latin America in November 2015.
In the past six months, Ms Castillo has tirelessly promoted zero discrimination throughout Panama by engaging all government departments in a national campaign and travelling around the country, meeting with communities most affected by HIV in order to learn about and raise awareness of the impact of discrimination on people’s lives. She has also been advocating for access to sexual and reproductive health and rights services for adolescents, particularly adolescent girls.
During her visit to UNAIDS, Mr Sidibé commended the First Lady’s work as a compassionate and courageous leader and an extraordinary champion of rights in Latin America and beyond.
Ms Castillo thanked UNAIDS for its support and reiterated her commitment to focus on empowering young women and girls, HIV treatment and prevention for all and achieving zero discrimination.
“We are all equal and I want to give a voice to the voiceless.”
Lorena Castillo de Varela, First Lady of Panama, UNAIDS Special Ambassador for AIDS in Latin America
“Lorena Castillo’s personal commitment to zero discrimination is impressive. Everywhere she goes she advocates for a people-centred approach.”
Michel Sidibé, UNAIDS Executive Director
