Most At Risk Populations Network (MARPS) is taking the lead on bridging the gap between the different organisations within its mandate, Kampala City Council Authority, the broader civil society space as well as other implementing partners.
Kuchu Times Editor
Keem Love Black, needs very little introduction; she has revolutionalised the ‘transgender pride’ in Uganda and continues to stand tall and walk in her truth. Her most used forum is facebook and her outspoken and ‘ I don’t care’ attitude have earned her quite a following in this space.
The ladies at Women’s Organisation Network for Human Rights’ Advocacy (WONETHA) have highlighted changing of public perception towards sex workers as one of their thematic areas. They continuously engage with the Police and several policy influencers on how the laws affect them and how they (the laws) are taken out of context and used against them.
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an HIV prevention strategy where HIV-negative individuals take anti-HIV medications before coming into contact with HIV to reduce their risk of becoming infected. The medications work to prevent HIV from establishing infection inside the body.
PrEP means Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, and it’s the use of anti-HIV medication that keeps HIV negative people from becoming infected. PrEP is approved by the FDA and has been shown to be safe and effective. A single pill taken once daily, it is highly effective against HIV when taken every day. The medication interferes with HIV’s ability to copy itself in your body after you’ve been exposed. This prevents it from establishing an infection and making you sick.
“There was a literacy gap within the sex workers community- many of these women could barely write their names. Some of them could not express themselves which made their advocacy very difficult. This program was therefore put in place to pass on the much needed formal education to WONETHA members. Even though we are sex workers, we need these skills for survival in this competitive world,” Ms. Natukunda explained.
My full concentration will now be on LGBTI activism that I have been involved in since 2002/03 when we started Spectrum Uganda Initiative. I am dedicating my time now is to re-integrating myself into the activism system that I was previously giving just a portion of myself.
“I am thankful for this program that WONETHA is implementing; I have gained very many skills and I’m sure they will help me in life. I never knew how to save money as I would spend all my earnings without proper planning. During the course, I started applying what I was being taught- I now own different plantations and I’m even employing a few people.,” Lydia, a beneficiary of the program said.
He quickly juxtaposes what the movement used to be to what its is today ; life these days is very easy when it comes to communication because of new inventions like social media, smart phones and other technological advancements that have made the world a very small province. SK explains that this has cost the movement a lot as people do not create firm foundations- which is what Uganda’s LGBT movement was built on.
The Institute for Justice and Reconciliation would like to recognise 10 young activists who are doing exceptional work in the Gender Justice Field in Africa. IJR is calling for nominations to be sent in by the public to assist our panel review team in making the final selection.