Inclusive Responses to SGBV and HIV in Humanitarian Crises

The Healthcare Needs of LGBTI people in Great Lakes Region of Africa

 

Funded by the UK Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Global Challenges Research Fund, this strategic network brings together cross-disciplinary academic expertise and practitioners with extensive knowledge and experience in the fields of: human rights; global health governance; sexual and gender-based violence; and HIV/AIDS.

The network responds to the need for foundational research on health needs and barriers to health care for lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) populations in the Great Lakes Region of Africa (GLR), addressing gaps in existing knowledge by interrogating the political, socio-legal, methodological and ethical challenges in conducting research on LGBTI persons in challenging environments. The network further aims to strengthen the interface between research, policy, and advocacy by ensuring that NGOs and other research users are included in a series of workshops funded by the grant and, subsequently, in the research design and execution of future research projects that arise out of these activities.

Advocacy on health and LGBTI rights

Video: Kwaku Adomako presents a seminar based on Workshop 3, 'Leave No-One Behind: Inclusive development, health and rights'

About the Strategic Network

Funded by the UK Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Global Challenges Research Fund, this strategic network brings together cross-disciplinary academic expertise and practitioners with extensive knowledge and experience in the fields of: human rights; global health governance; sexual and gender-based violence; and HIV/AIDS.

The network responds to the need for foundational research on health needs and barriers to health care for lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) populations in the Great Lakes Region of Africa (GLR), addressing gaps in existing knowledge by interrogating the political, socio-legal, methodological and ethical challenges in conducting research on LGBTI persons in challenging environments.

The network further aims to strengthen the interface between research, policy, and advocacy by ensuring that NGOs and other research users are included in a series of workshops funded by the grant and, subsequently, in the research design and execution of future research projects that arise out of these activities. 

Document 1.4 ESRC logo-200px
Global Challenges fund

 

The Network Team

Principal Investigator

Dr Jill Steans (University of Birmingham, UK). Expertise: SGBV; human rights; theorizing gender and sexuality.

Co-Investigators

1.6.2 Photo Nana Poku-editProfessor Nana Poku (University of Kwa-Zulu Natal, SA). Expertise: HIV/AIDS; global health; human security; political economy.

 

 

1.6. 3 Photo Jane Freedman-editProfessor Jane Freedman (University Paris 8). Expertise: refugee and asylum; SGBV.

 

 

1.6.4 Photo Claire Somerville-editDr Claire Somerville (Graduate Institute, Geneva). Expertise: Methodologies; gender issues in global governance; global health; knowledge transfer.

 

 

1.6.5.Photo Tony_barnett-editProfessor Tony Barnett Expertise: Infectious diseases; HIV/AIDS; global health.

 

 

Partner Organisations

  • UNAIDS Africa
  • UNDP Africa
  • Positive Vibes (Namibia based): Extensive practical expertise in networking with consultants and NGOs working on LGBTI rights and health (HIV) across Southern Africa.
  • ISIS-WICCE (Uganda based): Extensive practical expertise in women’s human rights, armed conflict, violence against women, SGBV.

Workshops

Gender and Sexuality in International Studies: Theoretical Approaches, Concrete Problems, Effective Policies

University of Birmingham
30 March– 31 March 2017

This workshop reviewed current research on gender and sexuality in the fields of development studies, International Relations and Global Health. Participants and discussed the intellectual divides between ‘critical’ theorists of gender and sexuality, that emphasize the fluid nature of gender identities and sexuality and policy facing researchers who work with convention gender categories and utilize the constructed category (LGBTI +).

How do we conduct SGBV research in conflict and post-conflict settings?

HEARD
University of KwaZulu Natal, Durban, South Africa
September 2017

This workshop brought together researchers and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) will expertise and experience of working on sexual violence and/or gender-based violence in countries across the GLR.  Participants draw upon their experience and expertise to provide insights into how gender and sexualities could be conceptualized and incorporated in existing projects on prevention of sexual and gender-based violence. 

 

Leave No One Behind: Inclusive development, health and rights

Gender Centre
Institute of Graduate Studies,
Geneva
November 2017

The aim of this workshop was to learn how researchers, institutions, advocates and activists, working in different African contexts (Burundi, Cotes d’Ivoire, DRC, Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda) presently centre sexual orientation, gender identity and expressions of sex characteristics (SOGIESC) in their studies, policies and practices. The workshop further aimed to generate synergies and cultivate new or existing international linkages between colleagues with a core interest in human rights and/or health as it pertains to LGBTI people.

Conducting Research on HIV/AIDS in Challenging Environments

HEARD
University of KwaZulu Natal, Durban
February 2018

This workshop took forward the work of the strategic network, focusing on the challenges of 'Conducting Research on HIV/AIDS in Challenging Environments.’ Discussions focused on: LGBTI people as ‘hidden’ or ‘hiding’ populations, often legally proscribed and subject to widespread stigmatization and discrimination; what makes LGBTI people and communities 'key populations' for the purposes of HIV prevention; ethical challenges in conducting research; methodological issues; the relationship between academic research and advocacy; and the politics of knowledge construction.