Sinazo Pato

Sinazo Pato works as an Advocacy and Community Outreach Manager for the International Partnership for Microbicides (IPM), in South Africa where she oversees the implementation of a program designed for the monthly Dapivirine ring outreach, education, and advocacy purposes in eastern and southern Africa targeting Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW). The focus of the program is to keep AGYW engaged and to ensure that their perspectives and experiences are considered in the development of the HIV prevention programs. In addition to ensuring meaningful engagement of AGYW, Pato is leading the co-ordination of the communications digital platform, the Inside My Purse Blog, and Facebook with over 2.4K followers. Stories shared by young women on these platforms have encouraged and changed how she communicates, educates, and connects with young women in her day to day work life to ensure mutual understanding and respect.

She has in-depth technical knowledge of HIV prevention tools from development to implementation such as PrEP, vaccines, microbicides, TaSP, and behavioral change interventions. Prior to joining clinical trials, Pato was a passionate activist advocating for access to affordable HIV treatment for all in South Africa. Pato participates in the regional leaderships roles aimed at strengthening inclusion of community voices in the development of HIV/AIDS policies. She is the chairperson of the Biomedical HIV Prevention Forum (BHPF) and member of the South African National AIDS Council Women Sector Leadership.

Pato hold a Bachelors of Technology in Business Administration from the University of Johannesburg.