From left: Yolanda Mitchell, Boshadi Semenya & Prof Juan Nel,
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In February 2010, Prof Juan Nel, Boshadi Semenya and Yolanda Mitchell represented the Unisa Centre for Applied Psychology (UCAP) at the 4th Africa Conference on Sexual Health and Rights in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The conference has been taking place every second year since its inception in 2004, when it was hosted by South Africa. This year, the conference was jointly organised by the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) Africa Region, the Family Guidance Association of Ethiopia and the African Federation for Sexual Health and Rights (AFSHR).
The strong human rights framework in which the conference was embedded proved opportune for highlighting the persistent disregard of rights pertaining to sexuality, gender equality and sexual orientation. UCAP’s presentation centred on the platform that is created by South Africa’s progressive constitution for the establishment of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) communities, even in rural South Africa. It was based on qualitative data gathered early in 2009 in Mafikeng, in the North West Province, on factors that influence the establishment of emerging LGBT communities in this province. Although the findings were nuanced by accounts of ongoing prejudice, even though all human rights are protected by our constitution, the focus of the presentation was on the positive role a progressive constitution and supportive government can play. |
