Biography

Numan Afifi is a Malaysian advocate, researcher, and policy specialist working at the intersection of HIV, human rights, gender diversity, and digital inclusion across the Asia-Pacific region. He currently serves as Programme and Advocacy Lead at APCOM Foundation, where he leads regional initiatives on HIV prevention, PrEP access, community-led monitoring, and health equity for key populations.

Over the past decade, Numan has worked extensively with civil society organisations, multilateral agencies, and community networks on issues relating to LGBTQ+ rights, public health, digital rights, and democratic participation. He has contributed to regional advocacy efforts to expand access to HIV prevention technologies, strengthen community systems, and advance evidence-informed policy reform.

As a community advocate, he is particularly interested in ensuring that innovations in HIV prevention and treatment translate into meaningful improvements in people’s lives, including reducing stigma, improving access, and strengthening community ownership of health responses. His work focuses on bridging policy, research, and lived experience to advance more inclusive and effective health systems across the region.