As part of the main drivers of the BAM Group of Companies, this being the umbrella company within which Informative Newspaper operates, alongside sister brands Finite Magazine, Finite Lifestyle Club, Bam Promotions and Twin Talk, Informative Newspaper takes particular interest in social issues and causes created to advance the development of young girls and women and their participation in the global space.
To advance and cement the organization’s support for women and young girls, the Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights is today, through this issue introduced. Its purpose is to advance knowledge and create further awareness on developments surrounding the said community sector and to help audiences stay updated on such, further guiding means of both action and reaction to these developments.
This week we discuss Human rights barriers to comprehensive HIV and Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) for key populations.
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Criminalisation and lack of an enabling legal environment
Laws that criminalise consensual sex between adults make it harder for gay men and other men who have sex with men, transgender people and sex workers to protect themselves from HIV and STIs and undermines their access to HIV-related services and sexual and reproductive health care. Laws that inappropriately criminalise non-disclosure, exposure and transmission of HIV also undermine the ability of key populations from seeking information and services related to HIV and their SRH. These laws create particular barriers to HIV prevention and testing.
Stigma and discrimination
Key populations experience double stigma and discrimination: they are discriminated against on the grounds of their HIV or perceived HIV status and because they are part of a key population that is associated with sex, drug use and other controversial issues. Stigma and discrimination not only increase vulnerability to HIV, they also deter key populations from seeking out services and many choose to hide their sexual orientation, gender identity or the fact that they are sex workers, from health care workers, further undermining their access to appropriate health care. Transgender people experience particularly high levels of stigma and discrimination in multiple settings, including their homes, schools, the workplace and health facilities.
Violence
Key populations are at high risk of violence, including sexual violence. Criminalisation of their behaviours and stigma and discrimination increase their risk of violence and leave them without access to remedies for abuses and crimes committed against them. Sex workers are at risk of violence from clients, sexual partners, police officers and other officials from the criminal justice system. Because sex work is criminalised, few sex workers report abuse to the police and this impunity may fuel further violence against them. Their criminalised status may deter them from seeking post rape care, including PEP to reduce the risk of HIV transmission.
Lack of access to health services and other programmes
Key populations have complex health needs, but frequently struggle to get access to appropriate and essential HIV and sexual and reproductive health care and most key populations in Africa use services tailored for the general population. Transgender people are particularly neglected in national AIDS responses and health care workers lack training and information about the health needs of transgender people.
There are few programmes in SADC countries that place key populations at the centre of the AIDS response. The 2017 UNAIDS report on key populations in Southern and East Africa indicates that at least four key populations, men who have sex with men, sex workers, people who use drugs and transgender people, “largely lack access” to essential prevention and treatment services. The WHO recommends the provision of comprehensive HIV services, including access to condom and lubricant, harm reduction interventions for substance use, behavioural interventions, routine HIV testing services, HIV treatment and care (including management of co-morbidities), PrEP and SRH interventions.
Next we discuss what parliamentarians can do to advance the SRHR of key populations.
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