Promoting The Fundamental Rights To Health For Sexual Minorities In Kenya
HERAF promotes the right to health for LGBTI in Kenya through conducting forums that bring together health care workers and the sexual minorities. One such forum was conducted in Nairobi on 23rd and 24th of September 2009 where LGBTI who attended opened up about the various challenges they face in accessing health care in Kenya. One of the major issues raised by the participants was stigma and discrimination in health facilities. Most sexual minorities confessed to avoiding health facilities and many suffer in silence while running the risk of being infected or infecting others with HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.
“I had an infection some time back and as any one would do, I visited the nearest health centre to have it treated. As the health care worker was filling out my information, I confessed that I was an MSM. The health care worker was so shocked that she immediately ran out to inform her colleagues. Within no time, a group had gathered at a window outside the examination room giving me curious looks and talking in hushed tones pointing fingers. I ran out embarrassed and I swore to never visit a health centre again. PS: The infection turned out to be a urinary infection.” Participant, Nairobi.
The forums provide an opportunity for the sexual minorities to interact with the health care workers and chart a way forward with regards to easier access of health services for the LGBTI. For instance, the forum conducted in September by HERAF saw the sexual minorities and the health care workers dialogue on how to overcome the challenges. This resulted to the health care workers confessing to being discriminatory and vowed to change their attitudes and approach when dealing with LGBTI. The sexual minorities on the other hand committed themselves to being more understanding and patient with the health workers and visiting health facilities for advice, care, treatment and support. It was evident that the forum had a positive impact in that the health care workers and sexual minorities exchanged contacts for future communication.
“When I was being trained in nursing, the human rights issue was not a topic that was taught. This resulted to me not understanding that when it comes to health service delivery, everyone has a right to access health care services regardless of their sexual orientation. My gratitude goes to HERAF for making me a better professional and for giving me an opportunity to learn from the LGBTI and knowing where I go wrong. I will empower my fellow colleagues back at the hospital and ensure that they are aware that health is a human right for all.” Nurse, Nairobi.
In a bid to ensure that sexual minorities enjoy their human rights, and in particular the right to health, HERAF develops and disseminates IEC materials with information on the right to health. Such materials include fact sheets, fliers and newsletters. They spell out the human rights violations suffered by the sexual minorities and outline the factors that put MSM at the risk of HIV infection. According to these IEC materials, human rights violations suffered by MSM and other sexual minorities include; violence, torture, forced medical treatment, stigma and discrimination, inadequate information on MSMs among others.
The IEC materials are beneficial in many ways. For example, they educate the sexual minorities on ways of preventing HIV/AIDS infections, they educate the community members on their roles in promoting the rights of sexual minorities and they also educate the medical fraternity on providing LGBTI-friendly services.
“Information about the health seeking behavior of MSM is scarce and hard to find. I have now seen a source of information through HERAF’s IEC materials. I am now more empowered and will now strive to ensure that my friends and I stay HIV negative by practicing safe sexual practices and visiting health care facilities for treatment.” Participant, Nairobi.
HERAF is also part of the civil society movement that is campaigning for the recognition of the right to health for sexual minorities. To show its commitment, HERAF has been participating in various meetings and conferences that aim at promoting the human rights of sexual minorities. One such conference that HERAF participated in was the 2nd regional ‘Changing spaces’ that was held in September 2009 in Nairobi.