Emma Touny Waundjua Tuhepha | |
---|---|
Personal details | |
Born | Caprivi Region | 11 December 1974
Nationality | Namibian |
Occupation | HIV/AIDS Activist |
Emma Touny Waundjua Tuhepha (born 11 December 1974) is a Namibian HIV/AIDS activist.[1] In 1996, she was the first Namibian woman to state publicly that she was HIV-positive.[2] She became a high-profile activist for HIV/AIDS awareness and her efforts paid off, as anti-retroviral drugs soon arrived to treat Namibians with HIV/AIDS.[3] In 2001, she co-founded Lironga Eparu (learn to survive), a support group for those living with HIV which also participates in advocacy, awareness raising and policy development.[4] Tuahepa is now the National Coordinator of the Organisation. She is from the Caprivi Region and attended the Caprivi College of Education[5] before earning a Teaching Diploma at the Windhoek College of Education and taught briefly at Okuryangava Primary School.[3]