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From:TheBahamasWeekly.com International
H.E. Festus Mogae, Former President of Botswana and Chairperson of the Champions, and H.E. Joaquim Chissano, Former President of Mozambique, spoke passionately on why securing the human rights of key populations, including sexual and gender minorities, is essential for guaranteeing the health of all and leaving no one behind. They engaged the participants in a fruitful dialogue on how stigma and discrimination against key populations continues to present a barrier to access to health services and an AIDS-free generation in Africa and beyond. In 36 of 53 Commonwealth countries consensual same-sex acts between adults are criminalised, overwhelmingly using legislation introduced under British colonial rule. In addition to legitimising discrimination and violence, these laws represent a significant barrier to accessing health services for LGBT+ people, who face stigma in health systems where their sexual behaviour is deemed a criminal offense. H.E. Festus Mogae said: ‘Unfortunately, barriers to access to health and HIV services still exist and they continue to fuel stigma, discrimination and violence towards marginalised groups, especially for LGBT+ people. These barriers continue to deny us the opportunity to end AIDS.’ H.E. Joaquim Chissano said: ‘We cannot end AIDS if some sectors of our populations are still left behind.’ Glenroy Murray, an LGBT+ equality activist from Jamaica’s J-FLAG, a member organisation of The Commonwealth Equality Network (TCEN), also participated in the dialogue. He spoke about his advocacy efforts for inclusivity in Jamaica, and how overcoming discrimination against LGBT+ people could help reduce the high prevalence of HIV/AIDS in the Caribbean. He said: ‘When our legal systems fail to protect us, or worse, criminalise us, then how we seek to navigate public spaces, and public health spaces in particular, becomes more challenging. LGBT+ people, wherever they are, should feel confident in knowing that they can walk into any public health space and be open about their health issues, without fear of discrimination or condemnation.’ The discussion was chaired by Dr Greg Munro, Chief Executive of The Royal Commonwealth Society, who has wide international experience working on HIV/AIDS, including with the International HIV/AIDS Alliance and UNAIDS. He said: ‘The Royal Commonwealth Society strongly believes that in order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, eradicate HIV/AIDS, and leave no one behind, we must have honest and frank discussions about the rights of LGBT+ people. The Society is delighted to continue our work promoting these discussions, by welcoming Their Excellencies Festus Mogae and Joaquim Chissano to London to foster respectful dialogue and support their bold leadership on this issue of critical importance.’
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