Law, power and access: Overcoming barriers to HIV services

Janet Butler-McPhee joined the HIV Legal Network staff as the Director of Communications and Advocacy in December 2010. She became Co-Executive Director in July 2021.

Janet is responsible for the Legal Network’s effective overall operation and implementing the organization’s mandate. In her role, Janet also manages the Communications, Advocacy, and Development Team, including all strategic communications programming and work plans. She has authored publications for diverse audiences on many of the Legal Network’s issues, and oversees all public-facing communications for the organization. She works closely with the Research and Policy Team to coordinate joint advocacy interventions, and is also responsible for media relations, event planning and brand management, among others. She was also co-producer on the Legal Network’s documentaries, Positive Women: Exposing Injustice and Consent: HIV Non-Disclosure and Sexual Assault Law, and executive producer on Decriminalize Now: Akia’s Story, among others. In 2025, Janet was a recipient of the King Charles III Coronation Medal for her leadership in the sector.

Previously, she worked as the Communications Director for the Reproductive Health Access, Information, and Services in Emergencies (RAISE) Initiative and the Averting Maternal Death and Disability Program, both multi-level international programs at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health in New York City. Her work focused on public health advocacy and behaviour change communications in support of reproductive rights and health care in development and humanitarian contexts.

Janet holds a First Class Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Saint Francis Xavier University, a Post Baccalaureate Diploma in Communication from Simon Fraser University and an Honours Master of Science degree in Strategic Communications from Columbia University.

Janet Butler-McPhee joined the HIV Legal Network staff as the Director of Communications and Advocacy in December 2010. She became Co-Executive Director in July 2021.

Janet is responsible for the Legal Network’s effective overall operation and implementing the organization’s mandate. In her role, Janet also manages the Communications, Advocacy, and Development Team, including all strategic communications programming and work plans. She has authored publications for diverse audiences on many of the Legal Network’s issues, and oversees all public-facing communications for the organization. She works closely with the Research and Policy Team to coordinate joint advocacy interventions, and is also responsible for media relations, event planning and brand management, among others. She was also co-producer on the Legal Network’s documentaries, Positive Women: Exposing Injustice and Consent: HIV Non-Disclosure and Sexual Assault Law, and executive producer on Decriminalize Now: Akia’s Story, among others. In 2025, Janet was a recipient of the King Charles III Coronation Medal for her leadership in the sector.

Previously, she worked as the Communications Director for the Reproductive Health Access, Information, and Services in Emergencies (RAISE) Initiative and the Averting Maternal Death and Disability Program, both multi-level international programs at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health in New York City. Her work focused on public health advocacy and behaviour change communications in support of reproductive rights and health care in development and humanitarian contexts.

Janet holds a First Class Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Saint Francis Xavier University, a Post Baccalaureate Diploma in Communication from Simon Fraser University and an Honours Master of Science degree in Strategic Communications from Columbia University.

Marvin Sadinoel Quintanilla Cantizano, known as Noel Cantizano, is a Salvadoran human rights lawyer, consultant, researcher and university professor specializing in HIV, drug policy and access to justice in Latin America. He holds a Master’s degree in Fundamental Rights and has more than ten years of experience working with international organizations, regional networks and civil society. As LANPUD’s focal point in El Salvador, he has contributed to research, advocacy and regional initiatives on the rights of people who use drugs, continuity of HIV care, stigma, and barriers to health services and accountability mechanisms. He has also supported regional HIV and human rights initiatives through consultancy work focused on access to justice and protection against rights violations.

I am a public health and policy advocate with over 13 years of experience in HIV and sexual and reproductive health and rights. I work with CAMNAFAW, leading rights-based advocacy on legal reform, Maputo Protocol domestication and HIV policy alignment ahead of UN HLM 2026.

Bongani Runya is a Zimbabwean human rights advocate and Director of Adult Glam Divas (AGD), where he advances sex workers’ rights, combats gender-based violence, and promotes access to HIV and sexual and reproductive health services through community-led advocacy and partnerships.

A former Zimbabwe Republic Police officer in the Victim Friendly Unit, he supported survivors of violence through coordinated legal, health, and psychosocial care,an experience that shaped his shift into rights-based advocacy.

He is a YALI RLC Southern Africa alumnus and former national student leader, with work recognized across regional and international platforms. He is currently writing his memoir, Against the Grain, tracing his journey from policing to activism.

He lives by the belief: “I don’t pray, but the answer to my prayer is when I give solutions to the prayers of many people.”

Chitsanupong "Best" Nithiwana (she/her) is a trans human rights advocate from Thailand. She has been our Human Rights Officer since 2025.

Dr. Jirair Ratevosian is a public health scientist, policy leader, and advocate focused on advancing health equity, strengthening global health systems, and translating evidence into policy. He is a Research Scholar at the Duke Global Health Institute and a Senior Associate (Non-resident) with the Global Health Policy Center at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. He advises organizations advancing HIV prevention, artificial intelligence, and health delivery innovation. Previously, he served as Acting Chief of Staff and Senior Health Equity Advisor to the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator, shaping PEPFAR policy and global health strategy. His career includes roles at Gilead Sciences, amfAR, and in the U.S. House of Representatives with Congresswoman Barbara Lee. He writes the Lights, Camera, Equity newsletter on Substack and has published extensively in POZ, TheBody, TIME, and Playboy. He holds a DrPH from Johns Hopkins University, an MPH from Boston University, and undergraduate degrees from UCLA.

Bongani Runya is a Zimbabwean human rights advocate and Director of Adult Glam Divas (AGD), where he advances sex workers’ rights, combats gender-based violence, and promotes access to HIV and sexual and reproductive health services through community-led advocacy and partnerships.

A former Zimbabwe Republic Police officer in the Victim Friendly Unit, he supported survivors of violence through coordinated legal, health, and psychosocial care,an experience that shaped his shift into rights-based advocacy.

He is a YALI RLC Southern Africa alumnus and former national student leader, with work recognized across regional and international platforms. He is currently writing his memoir, Against the Grain, tracing his journey from policing to activism.

He lives by the belief: “I don’t pray, but the answer to my prayer is when I give solutions to the prayers of many people.”

I am a public health and policy advocate with over 13 years of experience in HIV and sexual and reproductive health and rights. I work with CAMNAFAW, leading rights-based advocacy on legal reform, Maputo Protocol domestication and HIV policy alignment ahead of UN HLM 2026.

Chitsanupong "Best" Nithiwana (she/her) is a trans human rights advocate from Thailand. She has been our Human Rights Officer since 2025.

Marvin Sadinoel Quintanilla Cantizano, known as Noel Cantizano, is a Salvadoran human rights lawyer, consultant, researcher and university professor specializing in HIV, drug policy and access to justice in Latin America. He holds a Master’s degree in Fundamental Rights and has more than ten years of experience working with international organizations, regional networks and civil society. As LANPUD’s focal point in El Salvador, he has contributed to research, advocacy and regional initiatives on the rights of people who use drugs, continuity of HIV care, stigma, and barriers to health services and accountability mechanisms. He has also supported regional HIV and human rights initiatives through consultancy work focused on access to justice and protection against rights violations.

Janet Butler-McPhee joined the HIV Legal Network staff as the Director of Communications and Advocacy in December 2010. She became Co-Executive Director in July 2021.

Janet is responsible for the Legal Network’s effective overall operation and implementing the organization’s mandate. In her role, Janet also manages the Communications, Advocacy, and Development Team, including all strategic communications programming and work plans. She has authored publications for diverse audiences on many of the Legal Network’s issues, and oversees all public-facing communications for the organization. She works closely with the Research and Policy Team to coordinate joint advocacy interventions, and is also responsible for media relations, event planning and brand management, among others. She was also co-producer on the Legal Network’s documentaries, Positive Women: Exposing Injustice and Consent: HIV Non-Disclosure and Sexual Assault Law, and executive producer on Decriminalize Now: Akia’s Story, among others. In 2025, Janet was a recipient of the King Charles III Coronation Medal for her leadership in the sector.

Previously, she worked as the Communications Director for the Reproductive Health Access, Information, and Services in Emergencies (RAISE) Initiative and the Averting Maternal Death and Disability Program, both multi-level international programs at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health in New York City. Her work focused on public health advocacy and behaviour change communications in support of reproductive rights and health care in development and humanitarian contexts.

Janet holds a First Class Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Saint Francis Xavier University, a Post Baccalaureate Diploma in Communication from Simon Fraser University and an Honours Master of Science degree in Strategic Communications from Columbia University.

Dr. Jirair Ratevosian is a public health scientist, policy leader, and advocate focused on advancing health equity, strengthening global health systems, and translating evidence into policy. He is a Research Scholar at the Duke Global Health Institute and a Senior Associate (Non-resident) with the Global Health Policy Center at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. He advises organizations advancing HIV prevention, artificial intelligence, and health delivery innovation. Previously, he served as Acting Chief of Staff and Senior Health Equity Advisor to the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator, shaping PEPFAR policy and global health strategy. His career includes roles at Gilead Sciences, amfAR, and in the U.S. House of Representatives with Congresswoman Barbara Lee. He writes the Lights, Camera, Equity newsletter on Substack and has published extensively in POZ, TheBody, TIME, and Playboy. He holds a DrPH from Johns Hopkins University, an MPH from Boston University, and undergraduate degrees from UCLA.