Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2023 and its Impact on SRHR Services for LBQ Persons
As an LBQ person in Uganda, we have faced a lot of challenges growing up from being in the closet, no basic needs, to discrimination at school and others and when we are older and think that we can at least access basic needs on our own, like Food, shelter, access to drinking water, clothing, as well as essential services, to education, to healthcare facilities, and to public transportation.
The Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2023 crashes our souls as citizens of Uganda and as Humans of Uganda leaving us with a lot of side effects to carry on and to battle with. Our mental health has deteriorate, causing long term mental illness, suicide and increase in the spread of HIV /AIDS.
In 2014, Uganda passed the Anti-Homosexuality Act, which sought to further criminalise same-sex relationships and activities. The law was later struck down by the Constitutional Court in August of the same year. These laws have affected our community for generations. But this had all changed over the past years where our government had come up with initiatives of inclusion by supporting queer communities with government programming.
However, in 2023, the government of Uganda continued to enforce laws that criminalise LGBT individuals and their activities like the Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2023. This has made it difficult for us to access basic needs like Food, shelter, access to drinking water, clothing, as well as essential services, to education, to healthcare facilities, to public transportation and human rights.
Uganda’s recent introduction of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2023 has sparked concerns over its potential impact on the LBQ community’s access to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) services. LBQ individuals in Uganda already face significant stigma, discrimination, and violence, and this bill threatens to exacerbate these issues. In this post, we examine the statistics and effects of this bill and how it has impacted the LBQ community’s access to Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights services.
UPDF (Uganda People’s Defence Forces) deputy commander of land forces major general Takirwa on Tuesday 07th February 2023 was published with the headlines “ Don’t treat homosexuals in our facilities.”Many LBQ individuals already face significant barriers to accessing healthcare, including stigma and discrimination from healthcare providers. Passing the AHB would make it even more difficult for LBQ individuals to access healthcare, as many healthcare providers will refuse to treat us for fear of violating the law. This would not only harm the LBQ community but would also have negative economic consequences, as untreated illnesses can lead to lost productivity and increased healthcare costs down the line.
Statistics on LBQ Persons and SRHR in Uganda
The effects on SRHR Services for LBQ Persons
In Uganda, the prevalence of individuals who self-identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) is estimated to be 2.4%. However, it is important to note that homosexuality is illegal in Uganda and is punishable by life imprisonment, which makes it difficult to obtain accurate statistics on the queer population. The government has been known to discriminate against LGBT individuals, and there have been reports of violence, harassment, and arrests targeting our community.
According to a 2019 report by the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA), LBQ individuals in Uganda face significant stigma and discrimination, including discrimination in healthcare settings. These factors have contributed to a high prevalence of HIV / AIDs and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
A 2019 study found that the prevalence of HIV among LBQ women in Uganda was 15.5%, which is significantly higher than the prevalence among women in the general population.In the fight for HIV/AIDS LBQ persons have been left behind especially in capturing our data. 76% of women and 81% of men aged 15-49 have heard of HIV/AIDS. Among adults aged 15-49, 6.2% of women and 3.7% of men are estimated to be living with HIV. 84% of women and 75% of men who tested positive for HIV reported having received antiretroviral therapy (ART).
Access to contraception and family planning services is limited for women in Uganda, with only 30% of married women using a modern method of contraception and only 13% of unmarried sexually active women using contraception. LBQ persons face additional barriers to accessing SRHR services, commodities, and information on contraception and conception plans and methods, including discrimination and stigma related to their sexual orientation characteristic or gender identity.
A study conducted by Human Rights Watch in 2019 found that some healthcare providers in Uganda deny SRHR services to LGBT individuals based on their personal beliefs and biases.
According to the 2016/2017 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (UDHS), 22% of women aged 15-49 have experienced sexual violence at some point in their lives. The same study found that only 37% of women who had experienced sexual violence sought medical help, highlighting the need for improved access to healthcare services for survivors of sexual violence.
Women in Uganda also face high rates of maternal mortality and morbidity, with a maternal mortality rate of 343 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2017. This is due in part to a lack of access to skilled healthcare providers during childbirth, with only 54% of deliveries being attended by a skilled healthcare provider. LBQ persons also face discrimination and stigma related to their gender identity, charactrics or sexual orientation when seeking maternal healthcare services.
Menstruation is still a taboo topic in Uganda, and many girls and women face stigma and shame related to their periods. Only 28% of girls in Uganda have access to menstrual hygiene products, and many resort to using rags, leaves, or other unsanitary materials during their periods. If the rate of girls is this high imagine transgender men, gender non-conforming persons and masculine representing women.
According to a 2015 study of trans men in Uganda, nearly half of the participants reported experiencing menstruation after starting hormone therapy. However, only 15% reported feeling comfortable discussing menstruation with healthcare providers.
The Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2023 threatens to worsen the already difficult situation for LBQ individuals in Uganda. The bill proposes to impose harsh penalties on individuals found guilty of engaging in homosexual acts, including life imprisonment for repeat offenders. The bill also criminalizes the “promotion of homosexuality,” which in terms means no human rights promotion or protection for queer persons. This has impacted organizations working to provide SRHR services to LBQ individuals in Uganda.
The fear of violence, discrimination, and outing has discouraged LBQ individuals from seeking SRHR services, including HIV testing, treatment, and prevention services. This has led to an increase in the prevalence of HIV and other STIs among LBQ individuals in Uganda. Additionally, LBQ individuals who are already living with HIV have been reluctant to disclose their status and seek treatment due to the stigma and discrimination they face, which have exacerbated their health outcomes.
The bill has also impacted the mental health and well-being of LBQ individuals in Uganda. The fear of violence and discrimination can lead to increased stress and anxiety, which can contribute to mental health issues.
Additionally, LBQ individuals face discrimination and violence putting us at a higher risk of suicidal ideation and attempts.
Stigma and Mental Health as a study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health in 2015 found that LGBTQ+ youth in Uganda experienced high levels of stigma and discrimination, which had a negative impact on their mental health and well-being. Many reported symptoms of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation as a result of the AHB and the societal pressure to conform to heterosexual norms.
Reduced access to healthcare as the AHB has also made it difficult for LGBTQ+ individuals to access healthcare services, particularly HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention. Many clinics and healthcare providers are reluctant to serve queer patients for fear of being accused of promoting homosexuality, which is criminalised under the proposed law.
The taboo surrounding menstruation has also led to limited access to menstrual hygiene products and facilities, which negatively impact transgender, and gender non-conforming persons education and overall health. These persons in Uganda further miss school and work due to lack of access to menstrual hygiene products and facilities, which has had long-term consequences for their education and future opportunities.
We also face additional challenges related to menstruation, such as limited access to menstrual hygiene products that align with our gender identity and characteristics. We are often excluded from discussions and policies related to menstruation in Uganda. However, it is important to recognize that we too experience menstruation and require access to menstrual hygiene products and facilities.
Masculine lesbians also experience menstruation but face additional stigma and discrimination related to their gender identity characteristics and sexual orientation. Lack of access to menstrual hygiene products, information and facilities is particularly challenging for trans men, gender non-conforming persons and masculine lesbians, who face additional barriers to accessing these resources due to discrimination and stigma.
In Uganda we face significant challenges when it comes to accessing conception methods that would allow LBQ persons to give birth to a child. Since same-sex marriage is illegal in Uganda, and there are no legal protections for LGBTQ+ individuals. As a result, adoption and surrogacy are not viable options for many LGBTQ+ individuals who want to have children.
Additionally, there is limited awareness and education on assisted reproductive technologies such as in-vitro fertilisation (IVF), and most healthcare providers are not trained to provide these services to LBQ individuals.
Discrimination and stigma has also played a significant role in limiting access to conception methods. Some healthcare providers refuse to provide these services to LBQ individuals based on their personal beliefs and biases.
Even though, there are some organisations and clinics that provide fertility treatments to LBQ individuals in Uganda. These organisations offer services such as sperm donation, egg donation, and surrogacy. However, these services are often expensive and not accessible to everyone.
Conclusion
The introduction of Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2023 threatens to worsen the already difficult situation for LBQ individuals in Uganda. The fear of violence, discrimination, and outing have impacted their access to SRHR services, which have led to an increase in the prevalence of HIV and other STIs among LBQ individuals in Uganda.
Additionally, LBQ individuals are at a higher risk of mental health issues and suicidal ideation and attempts. It is crucial that organisations like Rella Women’s Foundation continue to advocate for the protection of the SRHR of LBQ individuals in Uganda and create safe spaces for us to access healthcare services without fear of discrimination or violence.
These statistics suggest that there is a need for increased access to and education about menstrual hygiene products and facilities in Uganda, particularly in rural areas where access to these resources is limited. Addressing the stigma and shame related to menstruation is also important to ensure that transgender, and gender non-conforming persons and masculine women can manage their periods with dignity and without negative social or educational consequences.
There is a need for increased access to and education about SRHR services in Uganda, particularly for vulnerable populations such as lesbians, bisexuals, queer transgender, gender non-conforming, and cisgender women. Addressing stigma and discrimination related to gender identity and sexual orientation is also important to ensure that all individuals can access the resources they need to maintain their health and well-being.
It is also important to include trans men and masculine lesbians in discussions and policies related to menstruation in Uganda. This can help ensure that these individuals have access to the resources they need to manage their periods with dignity and without negative social or health consequences. Additionally, efforts to address stigma and discrimination related to gender identity, characteristics and sexual orientation can also help to improve the overall health and well-being of these populations.
Lastly, addressing discrimination and stigma related to gender identity, characteristics and sexual orientation is crucial in ensuring that all individuals have equal access to SRHR services, including conception and contraceptive methods. Education and awareness campaigns on available fertility treatments and their availability should also be implemented to ensure that all individuals are informed and empowered to make informed choices about their reproductive health.
By Maltego
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