KELIN participates in the 2016 Bergen Exchanges on Law & Social Transformation

The Bergen Exchanges on Law & Social Transformation is an annual interdisciplinary meeting for scholars who want to understand the interplay between law and social change. KELIN was represented by its Executive Director, Allan Maleche at this meeting that took place from 22 – 26 August, 2016 in Bergen. He took part in a roundtable on “Can law heal? On legal determinants of inequalities in health and rights based approaches to health reform” moderated by Professor Alicia Ely Yamin. The roundtable discussed the legal determinants of health, and the case for rights-based approaches reform of health systems and policies. The event is part of a Norad funded project, “Implementing the right to health in health service delivery”, that KELIN has been involved in.

This year’s Bergen Exchanges focused on: the legal determinants of inequality; lawfare by and related to migrants & refugees, sexual and gender minorities and children; the effects of policing, criminal law and incarceration; judicial independence; and law fare over natural resources. The exchange was preceded by a two-day inception workshop on “Political determinants of sexual and reproductive health: Criminalisation, health impacts and game changers”. This is a two-pronged study that will be carried out in nine African countries including Kenya. The four-year project aims to understand the health effects of criminalizing sexual and reproductive behaviour and health services and analyse the political dynamics that drive, hamper and shape the use of such criminal law.

After participating the in the events in Bergen, Allan Maleche said:

“Am glad that KELIN is part of this ground breaking research project that is in line with KELIN’s strategic plan 2015- 2019. This will help us answer key questions on sexual reproductive rights, which will inform our implementation strategies in our respective thematic areas. Spending a week at Bergen allowed me to interact with other scholars from other disciplines. This has immensely enhanced my thinking on what can be achieved with this project”. 

To contribute to the discussions on this forum, follow KELIN on our social media platforms: @KELINKenya using hashtag #BergenExchanges

For more information contact:
Allan Maleche (Executive Director) KELIN.

Mombasa Road, Somak building 4th floor
P.O Box 112-00200, KNH

Mobile No: +254 708 389 870; Email: amaleche@kelinkenya.org
For Twitter updates: @KELINkenya #BergenExchanges