Rena Janamnuaysook

Programme Manager, Institute Of HIV Research And Innovation

Industry : Advocacy

An advocate for the rights of transgender people, Rena Janamnuaysoo is a transgender woman who works as the Program Manager (Implementation Science) for Transgender Health at the Institute of HIV Research and Innovation (IHRI) in Bangkok. She also established the Tangerine Community Health Clinic as the first transgender-led health clinic in the region, and now a model for other countries in the region. IHRI provides advanced clinical and implementation research on HIV and other health-related issues, strengthens the capacity of community health workers and health care providers, while fostering partnership with other health sector entities. Rena provides technical guidance for the development and implementation of HIV and AIDS research and programs for the transgender population, ensuring they advance the work of IHRI in serving vulnerable populations. Moreover, she also co-founded the Thai Transgender Alliance, the first transgender-led network promoting the rights of transgender people in Thailand. Her greatest challenge in achieving transgender-inclusive policy change is combatting the negative attitude and stigma associated with transgender identity. She previously worked with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).