4 June 2026
Each year, the Jude Byrne Emerging Female Leader Award recognises emerging female leaders who are advancing the rights and health of people who use drugs and shaping the future of harm reduction. We are proud to announce the 2026 recipients: Yarelix Estrada and Rita Musa. Congratulations to both awardees – we look forward to seeing you in Prague this October, for INHSU 2026.
Developed by INHSU and the International Network of People Who Use Drugs (INPUD), the award honours the legacy of Jude Byrne and supports the next generation of leaders working towards a more equitable and evidence-informed future. Now in its fifth year, recipients receive a nine-month mentorship with INPUD, as well as a full scholarship to attend the INHSU Conference.
This year, the award attracted 37 submissions from around the world, reflecting the depth of emerging leadership across the global harm reduction community. Applications were reviewed by a panel of women working across harm reduction and drug user health, including women who use drugs. The 2026 panel also marked the first year previous award recipients took part in the judging process.
Yarelix Estrada
- Location: Bogotá, Colombia / United States
- Role: Harm Reductionist, Researcher and Drug Checking Co-Lead
- Organisation: Remedy Alliance for the People
Yarelix Estrada is a first-generation Central American harm reductionist, organiser, researcher and person who uses drugs, based between Bogotá, Colombia and the United States. Over the past 11 years, she has worked across grassroots organising, public health, psychedelic communities and global drug policy.
She currently serves as Drug Checking Co-Lead with Remedy Alliance for the People, supporting the expansion of drug checking programs across the Americas. Her experience spans local policy advocacy, United Nations engagement and community organising. She also serves as Director of the New York City Psychedelic Society, sits on the Board of the Source Research Foundation, and organises with the National Survivors Union and the Alliance for Collaborative Drug Checking.
Her work is grounded in the belief that people most affected by an issue should lead its solutions.
“Receiving this award feels so meaningful because it comes from a community that I am part of and a community that I deeply care about,” she says. “Harm reduction has shaped who I am as a person who uses drugs, an organiser and a public health worker.”
For Yarelix, the award reflects both recognition and responsibility.
“Receiving the Jude Byrne Award feels like an invitation to continue the story of powerful women who have poured their hearts into this work. It is truly an honour to carry forward the work of drug user activism.”
Through the mentorship, she hopes to strengthen her ability to connect organising, advocacy and storytelling.
“There is so much knowledge and experience in our communities, but it is not always documented or shared widely. I want to deepen my writing, advocacy and leadership so I can help carry forward our lessons and histories.”
Looking ahead, she is focused on building more inclusive and community-led spaces.
“I want to help build a future where people who use drugs, particularly women, Black and Indigenous people, the poor and working class, and queer people, are not only welcomed into harm reduction spaces but are consciously leading them.”
Rita Musa
- Location: Nigeria
- Role: Team Lead / Programme Director, Women’s Harm Reduction and Advocacy
- Organisation: Autamaimasa Health Foundation (AMHF); National Secretary, Drug Harm Reduction Advocacy Network (DHRAN)
Rita Musa is a Nigerian harm reduction advocate, community leader and person who uses drugs, with over 10 years of experience working in harm reduction, advocacy and human rights. Her work focuses on supporting women who use drugs and other marginalised groups.
She is the founder of Autamaimasa Health Foundation (AMHF), a women-led organisation dedicated to promoting and protecting the rights and wellbeing of women who use drugs. She also helped establish the Drug Harm Reduction Advocacy Network (DHRAN), where she serves as National Secretary, and has been involved in building the Women Alliance Movement for Transformation, Emancipation and Education in Nigeria (WANTEEN).
Rita has contributed to key national research, including the Integrated Biological and Behavioural Surveillance Survey (IBBSS) and Key Population Size Estimation (KPSE). She also serves on the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime committee supporting the development of Medication Assisted Treatment guidelines in Nigeria.
Her work centres evidence-based advocacy and lived experience.
“Receiving the 2026 Jude Byrne Emerging Leadership Award makes me feel truly recognised,” she says. “It motivates and encourages me to continue my advocacy work and provides an opportunity to share valuable insights with my community of women who use drugs.”
She also sees the award as a way to inspire others.
“It allows me to show them the possibilities and achievements that women who use drugs can reach.”
Through the mentorship, Rita hopes to strengthen her leadership and expand her impact.
“I hope to gain strategic insights, enhance my capacity and skills, and foster personal growth and confidence. I also aim to expand my network and explore new opportunities for collaboration.”
Looking ahead, she is also focused on driving systemic change.
“I aim to advance and promote effective harm reduction practices that improve the health and wellbeing of women who use drugs and their children. By reducing discrimination and increasing awareness through evidence-based advocacy, I seek to influence policy, advance human rights and strengthen resilience.”
