8 July 2025
Now in its fourth year, this award honours the incredible legacy of Jude Byrne, a fearless drug user activist and INHSU board member who dedicated her life to advocating for the rights of people who use drugs.
The 2025 Award Recipients:
Emerging Female Leaders Award:
- Kaumba Akuffo, Zambia
- Vielta Parkhomenko, Ukraine
The recipients will now embark on a nine-month mentoring program with INPUD, including a $10,000 USD award prize and a scholarship to attend the INHSU 2025 conference in Cape Town, South Africa, this October.
Special Recognition Award:
In addition, Rita Gatonye from Kenya and Joana Canêdo from Portugal received Special Recognition Awards.
Special Recognition Recipients are acknowledged for their advocacy contributions and receive tailored mentoring sessions to support and strengthen their ongoing leadership and impact.
The Jude Byrne Award provides an incredible opportunity for the recipients to grow and thrive as leaders and advocates. In addition it is an effective vehicle for raising awareness of the barriers that women who use drugs face when pursuing their right to education, employment and economic success. Its value is evident in the way doors have opened to previous awardees as a direct result of their participation, and the model it provides to strengthen drug user networks with a skilled and empowered peer workforce.
Kaumba Akuffo, Zambia
Kaumba is a passionate human rights advocate focusing on the reintegration of formerly incarcerated women. Having experienced imprisonment herself, she co-founded Tithandizane Comfort Homes, an organisation that empowers women through entrepreneurship training and advocates for justice system reform. She is also part of the International Network of Formerly Incarcerated Women and a founder of Formerly Incarcerated Women Africa.
“This recognition means so much to me, not only personally but for my community of Chibolya, where so many women are in urgent need of support through harm reduction. This award strengthens my resolve to continue advocating for those whose voices are often unheard and to work toward real, life-changing solutions.”
Vielta Parkhomenko, Ukraine
Vielta, a feminist activist, uses her personal experience with drug use to empower other women in the drug-using community. With over a decade of NGO leadership, she is committed to challenging stigma and improving access to harm reduction and HIV services.
“I am a passionate advocate for the rights of women who use drugs at both regional and international levels, working to challenge stigma, prevent gender-based violence, and improve access to community-led harm reduction and HIV services. My work is grounded in solidarity, justice, and care.”
Rita Gatonye, Kenya (Special Recognition)
Rita is a student and lover of life, a human rights’ advocate with over a decade’s experience in peer-led harm reduction and a passion for drug policy and legal reform work. Currently the team leader at Women in Response to HIV/AIDS and Drug Addiction; an advocacy network of women and young people who use drugs in East Africa.
“Thank you for the confidence and respect shown in choosing me for the Jude Byrne Award. I’ve seen how environments thrive under strong leadership, especially when women of integrity are in the driver’s seat. I look forward to building my leadership skills through mentorship. One of my greatest joys is being part of a sisterhood working for real change. I’m proud to advocate for African women, especially those who use drugs, and excited to learn how to do this even more effectively for our community.”
Joana Canêdo, Portugal (Special Recognition)
Joana is a passionate activist for the rights of people who use drugs. She is a member of the Executive Committee of EuroNPUD, Local Campaigns Coordinator and researcher at the network, and is part of the women’s team, SisterWUD. Joana actively volunteers with women, trans women, and non-binary people who use drugs and/or do sex work at MANAS, a grassroots collective based in Lisbon, Portugal, operating under GAT/Treatment Action Group. Currently, she is living in Mauritius while conducting her PhD fieldwork at Collectif Urgence Toxida (CUT). Joana is also a member of the Latin-American “INHSU HispanoAméricas,” an informal group established at INHSU in 2023/24.
“I am deeply committed to fostering community-centered approaches in the design, implementation, and evaluation of innovative programs that advance the rights and well-being of people who use drugs. Receiving this Special Recognition Award inspires me to continue amplifying the voices of my community and working collaboratively towards a more inclusive, equitable and desirable future.”
This year, we received the most nominations to date – 40 nominations from 15 countries – highlighting the remarkable leadership of women advancing the rights and health of people who use drugs globally.
It’s an honour to support the next generation of female leaders. The work of Kaumba, Vielta, Rita, and Joana is not only impactful, but it also echoes the spirit of Jude Byrne’s legacy, inspiring us all to continue advocating for those who need it most. We look forward to meeting everyone in Cape Town.
