The ARASA National Cohort Partners[1] meeting in Machakos, Kenya on the 29-30th April 2024 brought together ARASA national partners from Nairobi, Kisumu, Mombasa and Migori, for a cross-learning experience under ARASA’s programme: “My Body is Not a Democracy”. The programme aims to increase awareness and knowledge of the right to bodily autonomy and integrity (BAI). The Partners’ meeting explored ways to bridge the distinct yet fragmented ways of working and better make use of collective efforts in advocacy on HIV and Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) by ARASA national partners.
KELIN spearheaded the sessions on the nexus between SRHR and HIV issues, particularly focusing on existing initiatives employed by ARASA national cohort partners in Kenya. National, regional, and international political and social contexts such as the shift towards conservative politics, strengthened anti-rights opposition and shrinking civil spaces hinder access to sexual reproductive health rights and services. A clarion call was made by participants to protect the gains made and put more efforts into advancing SRHR at the county levels to avoid drawing opposition to pro SRHR advancements.
The Cohort Partners explored the dynamic political context on SRHR issues and identified 3 emerging SRHR HIV intersecting issues, that is the triple threat[2], obstetric and gynecological violence against women and key populations as well as anti-LGBTIQ traction. Partners subsequently shared their advocacy initiatives in the counties to address these issues and later engaged in a group exercise to develop a road map on how ARASA partners can collaborate to protect gains and realize advancements in SRHR and HIV. The roadmap outlined ARASA partners’ vision of becoming a national think tank on SRHR HIV BAI advocacy. The roadmap also spells out the partners’ goals of building a strong movement as a coalition through sharing best practices including budget advocacy and digital and media engagements on narrative framing on these issues.
The collective incorporation of strategies for advancement of SRHR is crucial for KELIN’s commitment to achieve universal access to prevention, treatment, care and support for people living with HIV, people with TB, and key populations.
To contribute to the discussions on this forum, follow KELIN on our social media platform via @KELINKenya.
For more information please contact,
Elsie Milimu,
Program Officer- SRHR,
Kenya Legal & Ethical Issues Network on HIV/AIDS (KELIN),
Email: elsiemilimu@kelinkenya.org
[1] https://www.kelinkenya.org/arasa-kelin-partners-pledge-support-arasa-country-programme/
[2] https://health.go.ke/kenya-launches-ambitious-plan-end-triple-threat-2027
