Preventing and Eradicating Conversion Practices in Africa
Presentation on Preventing and Eradicating Conversion Practices in Africa.”
Presentation
**Title Slide:**
**Preventing and Eradicating Conversion Practices in Africa**
*Presented by: Dean Bordode, Human Rights’ Defender, Canada*
*Date: [Conference Date]*
**Slide 1: Introduction**
- **Topic Introduction:**
- Conversion practices are widespread human rights violations faced by sexual and gender minorities in Africa.
- Despite global opposition, these practices persist under various guises, fueled by legal, social, and cultural influences.
- This presentation will explore the nature of these practices, their impacts, and the strategies for preventing and eradicating them across Africa.
### **Slide 2: Understanding Conversion Practices**
- **Definition:**
- Conversion practices include any attempt to change or suppress a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.
- Forms of conversion practices include physical violence (e.g., beatings), psychological coercion, forced medical interventions, religious exorcisms, and more.
- **Historical Context:**
- Conversion practices originated from 19th-century pseudoscientific theories that pathologized homosexuality.
- Early “treatments” included hypnosis, castration, and psychotherapy, many of which have been debunked but persist in various forms in Africa.
### **Slide 3: The Scope of Conversion Practices in Africa**
- **Current Forms:**
- Violent conversion practices, including forced “corrective” rape, assault, and exorcisms.
- Legal forms, including the criminalization of consensual same-sex conduct, which can be seen as conversion by coercion.
- Psychological practices: forced viewing of heterosexual pornography or religious conversion practices without consent.
- **Key Countries Impacted:**
- Uganda, Ghana, Nigeria, and others with strong anti-LGBTQ+ laws.
### **Slide 4: The Human Rights Impact**
- **Physical and Psychological Effects:**
- Survivors of conversion practices experience long-lasting trauma, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and suicidal tendencies.
- **Legal Consequences:**
- Continued enforcement of homophobic laws leads to imprisonment, discrimination, and loss of livelihoods.
- **Broader Social Impacts:**
- The stigmatization of LGBTQ+ communities perpetuates a culture of violence and discrimination, fueling the cycle of abuse.
### **Slide 5: Legal Frameworks and African Human Rights Instruments**
- **Resolutions 275 and 552:**
- Resolution 275 of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights condemns all forms of violence against people based on their real or perceived sexual orientation and gender identity.
- Resolution 552 focuses on the protection of human rights defenders working to protect LGBTQ+ rights.
- **National Constitutions and Anti-discrimination Laws:**
- Some African countries are making progress with anti-discrimination laws, though these often conflict with existing anti-homosexuality legislation.
### **Slide 6: Strategies for Prevention and Eradication**
- **Legal Strategies:**
- Strategic litigation to challenge homophobic laws as a form of conversion practice (e.g., Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act).
- Encouraging the repeal of criminalizing laws and policies that fuel conversion practices.
- **Role of Health Practitioners:**
- Training health care professionals to recognize and combat conversion practices in medical and mental health fields.
- **Media Campaigns:**
- Raising awareness through the media about the harms of conversion practices and debunking myths surrounding LGBTQ+ identities.
### **Slide 7: Role of Religious and Traditional Leaders**
- **The Challenge:**
- Many conversion practices are supported by religious narratives that view LGBTQ+ identities as sinful or unnatural.
- **Engagement Strategies:**
- Engaging faith and traditional leaders in dialogue to shift narratives and foster inclusivity.
- Highlighting religious leaders who have successfully advocated for LGBTQ+ rights as role models.
### **Slide 8: Case Study: Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act**
- **Overview of the Law:**
- Discuss the legal and social context that led to the enactment of the Anti-Homosexuality Act.
- How this law institutionalizes conversion practices through state-sponsored persecution.
- **Efforts to Combat It:**
- Overview of ongoing legal challenges and international pressure to repeal the act.
### **Slide 9: The Role of National Human Rights Institutions**
- **National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs):**
- NHRIs have a crucial role to play in protecting LGBTQ+ rights and preventing conversion practices.
- **Strategies for Engagement:**
- Strengthening the capacity of NHRIs to address issues of conversion practices.
- Collaborating with civil society organizations to monitor and report cases of conversion practices.
### **Slide 10: Conclusion**
- **Key Takeaways:**
- Conversion practices are a violation of human rights and must be eradicated.
- Multidisciplinary strategies—legal, medical, educational, and media—are needed to combat these practices.
- Engaging religious and traditional leaders is essential for shifting harmful narratives and fostering inclusion.
- **Call to Action:**
- Reaffirm the importance of continued advocacy, research, and collaboration among all stakeholders to prevent and eradicate conversion practices.
### **Slide 11: Questions and Discussion**
This structured presentation provides a comprehensive analysis of conversion practices in Africa, with actionable steps to combat them. Feel free to customize specific sections based on your audience and focus areas!
🌍 **New Report & Upcoming Presentation: Combatting Conversion Practices in Africa** 🌍
I’m thrilled to share that I’ve recently completed a report titled *Preventing and Eradicating Conversion Practices in Africa*. This work addresses the ongoing human rights violations faced by sexual and gender minorities, specifically focusing on harmful conversion practices across the continent.
🚨 **Key Highlights:**
- The persistence and forms of conversion practices.
- Legal, social, and cultural frameworks driving these harmful practices.
- Strategies for combatting them, including leveraging African human rights instruments like Resolutions 275 and 552.
As part of this effort, I’ll be delivering a full presentation at the upcoming **Sexual and Gender Minority Rights in Africa** conference. I’m looking forward to engaging with fellow scholars, activists, and human rights defenders to explore meaningful solutions.
Together, let’s continue the fight for equality and dignity for all. 🏳️🌈
#HumanRights #LGBTIQ #ConversionTherapy #Africa #Inclusion #Equality #SocialJustice #Advocacy
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