According to the United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner (UN OHCNHR) Sexual Reproductive Health is a human right, and links to multiple human rights, including the right to life, the right to be free from torture, the right to health, the right to education and the prohibition of discrimination.
However, Key populations in Botswana face harsh conditions for them to enjoy this right, as access to SRHR is still seen with a patriarchal lens. This is why different LGBTQI and feminist organizations convened through the Coalition of African Lesbians Organization (CAL) to converse on SRHR rights in Botswana.
Set in Botswana Craft, the conversation kicked off by Alla Moyo hosting an interactive presentation about Botswana’s reality of SRHR. While explaining SHR as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being in all matters relating to the reproductive system. It implies that people are able to have a satisfying and safe sex life, the capability to reproduce, and the freedom to decide if, when, and how often to do so. She noted that ideally, access, reception of education and service must be a national provision. However, since the introduction of family planning, receiving services for many people living in the country has been an admittedly violent process.
The curriculum on sexual reproductive health is not inclusive as is targeted for the heterosexual community #KPREACHBW
— The Afrolutionist (@Afrolutionist) September 15, 2017
Participants of the conversation noted that the curriculum of sex education is heteronormative, and many factors show that women are not self-determined based on laws. For example, one of the participants mentioned that to have a hysterectomy a woman needs their husband’s approval and must already have three children. The existing discrimination that sex workers and LGBTI community face deters them from accessing sexual health services as they bear fear of being imprisoned if a nurse links any particular STI (or its frequency) to their work or sexual orientation.
While key populations are completely left out of the conversation, different experiences shape the reality of access to sexual reproductive health in Botswana. Participants shared that women are not well-educated about contraceptives and their side effects. Moreover, issuance of the emergency contraception is only obtained through private health access through a doctor’s prescription and not through public health services.
There was no such thing as SRH for adolescents, single women and LGBTI until recently. #KPREACHBW
— The Afrolutionist (@Afrolutionist) September 15, 2017
Although direct public health was not inclusive of SRH historically, the HIV/AIDS epidemic that spread in the country birthed SRH education and contraceptives for adolescent youth and key populations from international donors. Currently, key populations have access to specialized clinics based in key areas across the country. Through LGBTI, HIV/AIDS and human rights organizations activism and involvement, clinics and education to key populations as well as health workers training has been granted. Although they exist, accessibility remains an issue. These services are particularly accessed in cities, major towns or ‘hot spot’ areas.
While we realize the current reality of SRHR in Botswana, Moyo guided us through shaping a new reality of SRHR if sexual reproductive health could be more inclusive in society. Participants shared that there are girl children as young as primary school aged youth engaging in sex work and result in leaving school to be with older men, a link between economic exclusion, gender links and social security. By accessing SRH services, there is a possibility to reduce social ills in the country.
Conclusively, NGO partnership with health facilities (for example, LEGABIBO’s existing partnership with Mochudi Clinic One, Extention 12 clinic and the community health post in its headquarters) need to be strengthened while pressure groups to forge more inclusive laws surrounding SRHR can determine Botswana’s development in access to SRHR.
