PCRF X PERIOD: Packing Pads 4 Palestine

Humble Kyomya Macklean

Founder and Executive Director

The Alliance of Women Advocating for Change (AWAC)

Founder and Executive Director, Alliance of Women Advocating for Change (AWAC)

Macklean Kyomya is a Ugandan feminist leader, human rights advocate, and Founder and Executive Director of the Alliance of Women Advocating for Change (AWAC) — a national network of grassroots, female sex worker–led organizations advancing sexual and reproductive health, rights, and justice. Since founding AWAC in 2015, Macklean has been at the forefront of advocating for the decriminalization of sex work, gender equality, and integrated access to HIV, SRHR, TB, GBV, and mental health services, with a focus on harm reduction and social protection for marginalized women and their children.

A trailblazer in Uganda’s human rights movement, she co-founded several key national and regional initiatives, including the Women’s Organization Network for Human Rights Advocacy (WONETHA), Uganda Harm Reduction Network (UHRN), Uganda Network of Key Populations Services Organisations (UNESO), and the African Sex Workers Alliance (ASWA). Her work has been recognized with multiple national and community awards for leadership, advocacy, and impact in public health and rights-based programming.

Macklean holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work and Social Administration and continues to mentor emerging feminist leaders and strengthen grassroots organizing for justice, dignity, and equality across Uganda and beyond.