Uphold sexual minority rights in the great lakes

Human Rights First Rwanda Association organized a two day workshop with various stake holders who included  actors in the health sector, religious persons and policy makers with the aim  of Creating an enabling environment where  LGBT people and persons with HIV enjoy the basic rights of equality, privacy, personal autonomy and freedom of expression and association. This means a Rwanda where people can live openly without discrimination, where there’s respect for sexual minority identities, relationships and families, and where there’s fair treatment in employment, schools, housing, public places, healthcare and government programs

During the Worksop it was revealed that Key populations in the context of HIV - including men who have sex with men, sex workers, people who inject drugs and transgender people and their partners are at high risk for HIV, LGBT persons face widespread discrimination and sometimes violence from societal actors.

In response to the findings  it was revealed that there is a political will favourable to the debate and public policy development for LGBT persons,   Proof of the claim are the current Ministry of health actions in support of these policies on HIV/AIDS for Men Having Sex with Men. This enables the development and implementation of governmental action and social awareness around these issues, particularly in the context of public health.

However having political will is one thing, the actions of Health workers and the Society create Homophobia, discrimination and fear of the LGBT community to access services including health, justice and reporting violence.

At the conclusion of the workshop it was agreed that more discussions and debate surrounding the LGBT community should be continued since what affects them including HIV exposure and discrimination is a risk to the whole society in general.

The Transgender Community in Rwanda is a sexual minority group that requires special needs in enabling conducive existence and livelihood.

Both Transgender men and women require distinct service in justice and health related matters.

A meeting with the trans community in Rwanda together with other LGBTI activists was organized in order to find out the particular needs of the trans community as well as the proper channels of advocacy that are required.

Transgender women need access to rape and domestic violence services, Trans men need Psychosocial support as well as Hormonal Therapy support, a priority was also given to the terminologies I addressing their livelihoods such as gender non binary and gender non conformity.

There are challenges of mis-gendering by journalists and the public at large, these need to also be addressed.

The meeting served as a platform of addressing these challenges wholesomely.

In this meeting Development Partners, Human Rights Advocates , Health practitioners ,   Local Government officials and the LGBTI Community were all present.  They all gave assurances of giving support to the Trans Community support in advocating for their respective rights.