Lufuno Barro (MPH) is a gender and development specialist and public health specialist with 20 years of working experience in addressing gender and economic inequalities, through women’s social and economic empowerment. Her goal is to advance gender equality for sustainable development.

She holds a Masters in Public Health, Honors in gender studies, and Bachelor of Arts. Currently, Lufuno is the Programme Director of IMAGE (Intervention with Microfinance for AIDS and Gender Equity) for the past 12 years to date and a recipient of two international awards. The programme was recognised by International Centre for Research on Women (ICRW) as “Champions of change” in women economic and social empowerment during international women’s day in Washington DC 2009 and further awarded “Star of Africa” Gold award by the American Chamber of  Commerce  for best Corporate social investment in partnership with Chevron South Africa in 2013. She has numerous publications in peer-reviewed journals She contributed to the development of “RESPECT” and “INSPIRE” frameworks for the prevention of violence against women, commissioned by the World Health Organisation.