Gracia Violeta Ross Quiroga is a 2020 New Voices Fellow who has always been interested in working with vulnerable populations, but it wasn’t until she contracted HIV during her anthropology studies that HIV/AIDS advocacy became her passion. Her NGO focuses on HIV/AIDS advocacy and care as well as a greater push for Universal Health Care to support all Bolivians in need of care.
COVID-19 has really highlighted the epidemic of violence against women and girls through out the world. In the Aspen Ideas Health blog, Gracia raises concerns that the COVID-19 lockdown has placed many women in a dangerous situations potentially with their abusers. She advocates, “Governments need to invest to make police and judicial services effective; they need to support women and girls, and work with violent men in order to change their violent behavior. Local governments and municipalities have to create safer cities and neighborhoods. Even a supportive neighbor can make the difference.”