Statement on the Impact of the Anti Homosexuality Bill (AHB) 2023, towards Leesbians, Bisexual and Queer Women in Uganda.
BY AND FOR LBQ WOMEN IN UGANDA
The statement brings out concerns, needs and human rights violations towards the passing of the AHB 2023 that we fear when enacted into a law ,it will change our lives forever as LBQ women in Uganda.
Some the Human Rights that are violated by this Bill in summary are:
1. Inhumane and degrading treatment
- 2. Freedom of Association (to participate in political and other organizations
- 3. Right to shelter
- 4. Right to family (for children of LBQ parents)
- 5. Right to ownership of property
- 6. Right to freedom of Expression
- 7. Right to healthy (every LBQ woman is entitled to have free medical, and all health treatment)
All the above are provided for in the Constitution of Uganda. Meaning that if the AHB is passed, it will be contradicting the Ugandan Constitution.
LBQ needs and asks identified
Recommendations
On the 23rd of march 2023, the Loose network engaged the LBQ women in an online meeting following the aftermath of the passing of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill and these are some of the needs and asks that arose from this engagement:
- 1. The need for relocation of LBQ women has been noted to be an urgent need as a lot of them can no longer seek refugee in shelters or even in their homes and a great number of them are being hunted down and no longer feel safe where they stay, hence the need for a safety and relocation program to be enacted.
It also stems from the fact that the bill gives power to the landlords to evict and not be associated with anyone assumed to be gay , leaving many of the community members not safe in their own environment .
- 2. Psychosocial support is a paramount need as a lot of the LBQ women are undergoing a lot of Mental health breakdowns. Some LBQ women shared that they are living in fear, are feeling paranoid, are being stalked, verbally being shouted at etc. and the centers that offer mental health need support to reach the community members.
- There is a need to have virtual group counseling sessions , one on one sessions to offer mental health support for those who do walk in and offer them some transport refund to make sure they get safe transport services with the current environment.
- There’s a need for certified therapists and psychiatrists for LBQ womxn living with psychosocial disabilities like PTSD,ANXIETY,OCD and many more , therefore having SOS contacts on speed dial is important during these times.
- 3. A rapid response fund that can cater for any kind of emergency faced by LBQ women regardless of their location anywhere in the country. This can be centralized in the different membership in the different regions we work in as a network. This will enable the network to be fully equipped to offer legal assistance and aid to the affected persons where need be and will also build the capacity of member entities in the different regions.
- 4.The need for a private mobile fully equipped clinic which has all the services and consumables an LBQ woman may need. This way, LBQ women will still be able to access SRHR services as some of them fear going to the health facilities in this current situation, hence putting their health and lives at risk.
- We can get Motorcycles and bicycles distributed to different LBQ entities in the different regions and work with SRHR service centers who will be our dropping points for distribution of the commodities and information that will be able to reach LBQ women .The clinic will also be able to cater for emergency cases for instance cases of Rape , Gender based violence /IPV plus any kind of attacks.
- 5. Education and awareness, there is a need to increase awareness and understanding about LBQ identities and experiences, and LBQ women need education and awareness campaigns that promote respect, inclusion, and acceptance. We need to do a lot of sensitization about the AHA 2023 to the grassroots LBQ communities in Uganda through the member entities in the different regions .
- 6. Employment rights protection, LBQ women need protection against employment discrimination and harassment based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
- 7.There is a need to conduct awareness campaigns about decent work and social protection in the labor market especially during this time of crisis , LBQ women working in mainstream are living in fear of losing there jobs and being outed at their work place and this will greatly affect there livelihood since most of them are mothers and care takers too.
- Support LBQ refugees and migrants with technical assistance to process travel documents, linkage to refugee shelters, recommendations and other forms of assistance. Because trafficking of LBQ women is on the rise , for fear of persecution and because of the uncertainties that have come with the passing of the Bill including loss of jobs, LBQ women are running away to find a safe haven and many have unfortunately landed in hands of traffickers.
1. Engage all LBQ women ,friends ,allies and key stakeholders that work and serve LBQ women about the Anti Homosexuality Bill and how it will affect women especially minority and marginalized women as we work hand in hand to empower, transform and inclusively involve grassroots LBQ communities through representation in planning and advocacy platforms on the Convening for Equality.
2. Build archives, consider Her story , document and record her stories of victims, feelings, thoughts, resilience and sharing during these times of crisis of LBQ women ,and pushing for increased collective funding through Organized partnerships.
3. Advocate for legal and policy reforms, and design interventions targeting legislators, policy makers to influence policy development processes and lobby for repeal of all restrictive/criminalizing laws and policies in Uganda
4. Need for LBQ women empowerment and engagement through Community sensitization during these times of crisis through in person and virtual meetings and involving LBQ women leaders in the different regions in Uganda.
5. Funding and Resource Mobilization: As a community we need to come together ,organize and fundraise collectively build up resources to support all LBQ women in regards to ,protection research, documenting ,advocacy, and programming in Safety and Security.
IN CONCLUSION:
The passing of the Anti Homosexuality Bill in Uganda, violates the human rights of lesbian, bisexual, and queer (LBQ) women, this will have serious consequences in regards to perpetuating discrimination, violence, and marginalization against LBQ women, which violates fundamental human rights.
It is important to recognize and address the needs and asks of LBQ women, including legal protection, access to healthcare, community support, education, political representation and participation, employment rights protection, and funding and resources.
Governments, civil society organizations, healthcare providers, and other stakeholders must work together to create inclusive and equitable societies that respect and value the human rights of all individuals, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. By doing so, we can promote dignity, equity, equality, and justice for all.
We as the LBQ women have come up with the above recommendations so that our partners use them to advocate against the AHB 2023, for fundraising purposes, community support and engagement as a way of advocating for human rights for LBQ women and the entire gender and sexual minority community in Uganda.
We believe this will play an important role in articulating the advocacy issues and form a formidable strong advocacy voice and meaningful engagement of LBQ women and community.
Thank you
THIS IS THE VOICE OF LBQ WOMEN IN UGANDA