The panel composed of countries like Botswana, Namibia, Angola, South Africa and Seychelles. The panel focused on various target groups within the Key Population community; with Botswana Speaking on Intersex issues, Seychelles on Injected Drug Users issues, South Africa on Transgender issues, Namibia on LGBTI issues, and Angola on MSM issues.
The diversity in presentation aimed to advance the legal framework, the current realities and linkages that lead to recommendations proposed by each panelist within their focus target group.
It is imperative to note that the SADC Parliamentary Forum Committee on Human and Social Development and Special Programmes had a comprehensive outlook on the Model Law on Key Populations thus the panelists input was critical in shaping the final development of the SADC Model Law on Key Populations.
I must say that the space was very enabling as the parliamentarians was very frank and interrogative on issues of LGBTI as more time was spent on understanding the target group and further also called the LGBTI community to order as there was a consensus engagement that the time has come for the LGBTI community to reflect on their approach and organizing within the sub region.
The leadership also noted that the LGBTI movement needs to start dealing with issues within by focusing on the inequalities of race, class and socio-economic developmental issues and stop using the resources to uplift their lifestyle. Finally the LGBTI community was also requested to find strategies on how to address conversations with Traditional and Religious leaders as these are the key change agents of ensuring transformation and inclusion.
Overall the Committee leadership appreciated the presentations and shared that they have learned a lot on issues as the needs of the community are at times not understood within their spaces, of which the panelists were requested to submit their research, reports on the status of the legal framework, current programming and the aligned - direct expectations on how to strengthen the current document under review : “Model of Law on Key Populations”.
