On June 10 2024, KELIN, with support from Privacy International, and in collaboration with Y+ Kenya, hosted a webinar with thirty healthcare workers from Kenya. Through the webinar, KELIN disseminated findings from participatory action research study on the impact of HIV index testing on access to Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) services for young women and girls in Kenya. and KAPS with healthcare workers across Kenya. Find a summary here: HIV index testing, Healthcare providers
This comes in the wake of increasing concerns about the invasive nature of HIV testing practices and the frequent breaches of confidentiality, which have significantly hampered access to SRH services. The globally recognized right to privacy, enshrined in Article 31 of the Constitution of Kenya 2010, underscores the importance of confidentiality, especially in healthcare settings. The Kenya National guidelines on HIV testing and counselling emphasize maintaining this confidentiality to protect individuals undergoing HIV testing.
However, accessing SRH services remains a challenge for many young women and girls in Kenya. Factors such as geographical location, socio-economic status, and the availability of healthcare facilities create disparities. Urban areas benefit from better infrastructure and healthcare facilities, whereas rural and underserved regions face significant obstacles, including limited healthcare facilities, inadequate resources, and cultural barriers. A webinar with young women and girls was held early in the year, find the news item WEBINAR NEWS ITEM- PI.docx
The webinar addressed these issues head-on, advocating for the right to privacy to healthcare workers providing SRH services. It enhanced awareness of the legal and policy frameworks surrounding privacy rights and to reduce barriers that prevent young women and girls, particularly those living with HIV, from accessing essential SRH services.
KELIN’s initiative, supported by Privacy International, underscores the critical need to protect the privacy rights of individuals, particularly young women and girls, to foster a more supportive environment for accessing HIV and SRH services and has created posters to be disseminated to various healthcare facilities across the country. Find poster here: Protecting privacy rights
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Olendo Obondo
Programme Officer
Kenya Legal and Ethical Issues Network on HIV & AIDS (KELIN)
Kuwinda Lane, Karen C, off Langata Road
