Berthilde Gahongayire Mrs Berthilde Gahongayire is the UNAIDS Regional Director for the Regional Support Team for the West and Central and North Africa (Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia) with more than 28 years’ demonstrable experience in public Health, including disease prevention, management and full realization of human rights and gender equality as critical elements for preventing the spread of HIV, mitigating the epidemic socio-economic impacts. She has in-depth knowledge of linkages between AIDS response, and sustainable development. Her experience includes among others leading HIV program in multicultural environment including in Emergencies.
In the last 16 years, Berthilde has worked for UNAIDS in different capacities. She has been UNAIDS Country Director in Ethiopia, Somalia and Djibouti, and Senior Advisor to the African Union and substantively contributed to the organization of AU Summits. She also, for several years, worked as Regional Adviser in West and Central Africa Regional Office based in Senegal.
While UNAIDS Country Director in Ethiopia, Berthilde was also appointed Acting Director for the Liaison Office to the African Union and ECA in 2021. In this capacity and in preparation for a new Political Declaration, in collaboration with the African Union Social Affairs Commission, she contributed to organizing country consultations that culminated in Member States agreeing upon the Common Africa Position on HIV as the African Union coordinated input to the Political Declaration.
Prior to joining UNAIDS, Berthilde has worked for UNDP Rwanda as HIV and Gender Program Specialist until she joined UNAIDS in 2006. She also held several responsibilities, as a Public Service Servant, in various ministries in her country.
Berthilde has an advanced University Degree in Public Economics and is a certified Expert in Development as well as in leadership policy. She also holds an MBA in International Management.
She is a national of Rwanda. She contributed to women empowerment and Rights in a post genocide Rwanda which led Rwanda to be the first country in the world with more women in parliament and other decision-making positions.