Advocating For Universal Health Coverage Starts One Step At Time For These African-based Organizations
At AdNetA, we believe
in niche-advocacy. We are a “Collaborative.” We uplift each other. We are
formed as one to support each other’s mission. The organizations under this
collaborative are: The Nature Network, ROSCEA, SWKPAAP and
MARPS in Uganda. #Healthforall #UHC2030 #UHCDay
The UHC Micro-grant
will enable us organize and conduct activities targeting refugees not normally prioritized
by funders such as the “Africa Hope
Chain.” We shall be able to initiate and execute targeted interventions in
form of a drop-by community fair. Normally, health needs or status reports for
individuals are hidden within broad categories of refugees. So, existing
planned activities may be structured in such a way as to miss categorical
co-occurring vulnerabilities. This is also not helped by existing formal
cultural and institutional barriers that make access to care in some cases, prohibitive
and overwhelming. This results in placing more stress on shoulders of an
already overstressed population group. Two things stand out quire markedly for
refugees, especially LGBTIQQ Refugees: Individual health seeking and help
seeking practices which if they are strategically beneficial lead to productive
lives. #Healthforall
#UHC2030 #UHCDay
When
it comes to LGBTIQQ Refugees it becomes more complex. These are people who are
escaping persecution due to their sexuality, orientation and identity. They
have higher chances of appearing in a country of refuge psychologically,
emotionally and physically traumatized. Their needs to address trauma and fears
include: Need for accepting companions to act as navigators; stable housing;
regular nutrition; safe space; linkage to proper registration and documentation
services; incomes for sustenance; counseling and guidance; health care;
membership to social support mechanisms; and protection and promotion of
dignity of person. #Healthforall
#UHC2030 #UHCDay
We shall use this opportunity
to show case the need for Refugee LGBTIQQ targeting strategic Public health
services. Our target beneficiaries are: Refugees, People Living with HIV,
Drug-users, Orphans and Vulnerable Children, Young girls, boys, Women and Men. We
address vulnerability and susceptibilities that make it harder for our
beneficiaries to demand health services or engage in health seeking practices. #Healthforall
#UHC2030 #UHCDay
We are so glad we are
recipients of the UHC Grant. It will enable us create contexts which support Refugees
Awaiting Resettlement (RWARs) who continue needing support: as they navigate
the social services systems; training in managing custodial duties for running
shelters; planned and targeted medical care; provisioning the shelters as well as individual
needs; engaging in formation of support networks; as they pursue and engage in
self determination on a daily basis; and providing psychosocial support
following traumas after escaping violence, poverty, discrimination and hateful
actions. #Healthforall #UHC2030 #UHCDay
Scope of Work:
a. The
organizations behind the work
The Nature Network,
ROSCEA, SWKPAAP and MARPS in Uganda are four organizations that work together
to leverage their potential to advocate for quality life through mobilizing
communities to participate in daily activities of life and engaging in best
practices which promote health, most especially for marginalized population
groups. #Healthforall #UHC2030 #UHCDay
Nature Network:
Nature Network's
Niche: Kenya -based Transgender-Led, Refugee social support safe space and uses
Family-Based Therapy activities to build a context stimulating healing, agency,
autonomy, self-belief, self-determination and self-preservation. They enhance
continued humanization of refugees by highlighting opportunities for
participation in daily activities of life through planned community
activities. They promote and advocate for protection of rights and dignity
of refugees and provide accompaniment services to those who need to visit
health facilities regularly. They promote tiering, linkage and referral
services uptake. They are a landmark facility and a first point of contact for
many refugees. #Healthforall #UHC2030 #UHCDay
Refugee Organization for Security and
Cooperation in East Africa (ROSCEA):
Refugee Organization
For Security and Cooperation in East Africa (ROSCEA)'s Niche: Kenya based Human
and Health Rights Activists-led,
Refugee social support safe space and uses Family-Based Therapy activities to
build a context stimulating healing, agency, autonomy, self-belief,
self-determination and self-preservation. They enhance continued
humanization of refugees by linking needs to services through facilitating
mobility and highlighting security-consciousness. They
promote and advocate for protection of rights and dignity of refugees. They
provide accompaniment services to those who need to visit health facilities
regularly and other social services such as bill payment points or bailing out
persons from Police cells. They have dedicated resident navigators.
#Healthforall #UHC2030 #UHCDay
South and
Western Uganda Key Populations' AIDS Awareness and Prevention Association
(SWKPAAP):
South and Western Uganda Key Populations' AIDS Awareness and Prevention
Association (SWKPAAP)'s Niche: Uganda-based LGBTIQQ-Led Social Support
Organization providing AIDS Prevention Information, Education and Communication
in Southern and Western Uganda. They promote and
advocate for protection of rights and dignity of people living with HIV and
Drug-Users. #Healthforall #UHC2030 #UHCDay
Most at Risk Populations' Society in Uganda (MARPS
in Uganda):
Most at Risk Populations' Society in Uganda (MARPS in Uganda)'s Niche:
Uganda-based Collaborative of 175 grassroots CBOs with the goal of
enhancing participation in livelihoods, health seeking best practices
and documentation. They founded the Kampala Gay News Letter and Kampala
Sexuality Journal. They promote and advocate for protection
of rights and dignity of orphans, disabled persons, vulnerable Children,
young boys, girls and adult women and men. #Healthforall #UHC2030 #UHCDay
b. The Africa
Baraza
The Universal Health Coverage Campaign-Africa
Baraza, Nairobi, Kenya:
This event
will be the climax for the year. Through a truncated and staggered approach, we
are to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women
(25 November); World AIDS Day (1st December); International Human Rights
Day (10 December); and eventually the Universal Health Coverage Day (12th
December). This is to leverage the spirit of the symbolic events, catalyze
communities to relate to the themes, empower them to utilize the opportunities
and to encourage engagement in quality life promoting best practices. It comes
at a time when we are involved in addressing various UN Observances. Most
especially, we want to translate the realities of vulnerability, susceptibility
and missed diagnostic opportunities faced by marginalized population groups
into voices demanding attention.
· International
Day for the Elimination of Violence against women on 25th December
2019: We shall arrange the Nature Network Venue to display materials in form of
Information, Education and Communication (IEC) on Violence and how to address
it. The aim of the event is not only to mainstream violence themes in our
activities but to raise consciousness about vulnerabilities and
susceptibilities to violence. We hope to invite different participants to the
fair.
· World AIDS Day
(WAD) 1ST December 2019: We shall arrange the Nature Network Venue
to display materials in form of Information, Education and Communication (IEC)
on HIV Prevention. The aim of the event is not only to mainstream HIV
Prevention themes in our activities but to raise consciousness about
vulnerabilities and susceptibilities to HIV. We hope to invite different participants
to the fair.
· International
Human Rights Day on 10th December 2019: We shall arrange the Nature
Network Venue to display materials in form of Information, Education and
Communication (IEC) on Human Rights and copies of the Constitutions of Uganda,
Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, Congo (DRC), various Policy documents and
Declaration of Human Rights document. The aim of the event is not only to
mainstream Human-Rights-related themes in our activities but to raise
consciousness about vulnerabilities and susceptibilities when we are ignorant
about laws. We hope to invite different participants to the fair.
· Universal
Health Coverage 2030: Keeping the Promise; 12th December 2019: We
shall arrange the Nature Network Venue to display materials in form Information,
Education and Communication (IEC) on Violence and how to address it. The aim of
the event is not only to mainstream violence themes in our activities but to
raise consciousness about vulnerabilities and susceptibilities to violence. We
hope to invite different participants to the fair. This is the climax day and
it means we shall also show case all the previous activities leading to the UHC
2030 Event.
We also aim at
creating the first ever Africa Hope
Chain. In a nutshell, it means using UN or other International Observances
to create community activities to enhance positive participation by
marginalized persons. It will be the opportunity for catalyzing planned,
targeted interventions and social transformation activities. We leverage the momentum
brought about as a result of the Sixteen Days of Activism against Gender
Violence campaign, which takes place between the International Day for the
Elimination of Violence against Women (25th November) and International Human
Rights Day (10th December). This is not only symbolic but it will create a
cultural sensitivity and action to break down barriers to healthy living in
communities. It is this spirit we hope
to link with the UHC 2030 event among marginalized communities. #Healthforall
#UHC2030 #UHCDay
The main
attraction of the event will be centered on raising consciousness around how to
access and provide quality, affordable and beneficial quality life promoting
services. A critical number of Refugees, especially LGBTIQQ refugees will be reached.
This means they will access Information, Education, Communication, accessories
and Providers contact info through whom it will be possible to engage in
quality life promoting activities. Through this rapport, we want to increase
the participation by marginalized communities in demanding, uptake of health
and self-care. #Healthforall #UHC2030 #UHCDay
There are
sexuality, identity and gender-related gaps in health access which need
addressing. Using this fair, we hope to make it possible for refugees to
showcase their needs, have providers take a realistic look into these needs and
plan appropriate interventions. This is a unique situation, where the paradigm
shift points toward the client using a safe space to have their needs voiced in
a formal way. The High-Level Meeting on Universal Health Coverage (UHC) on 23
September 2019 provided a road map for inclusion and meeting the SDGs.
Beyond this High-Level Meeting, we endeavour to translate the UHC policies and
programmes; gather collective and critical input to prioritize equality and
equity-sensitive health interventions, as well as identify the best ways to
meet Refugee LGBTIQQ specific needs. #Healthforall #UHC2030 #UHCDay
Our work in
Kenya and Uganda has enabled us position ourselves as niche-advocates. We will
continue to address Refugee LGBTIQQ needs as UHC requires. This will include
key policies, entrench inclusivity, advocate for financing, and engage in multi
stakeholder collaboration, especially with different networks. We shall be part
of reviews as we continue seeking a culture upholding cultural sensitivity,
accessibility, affordability, accountability and beneficial services. .
#Healthforall #UHC2030 #UHCDay
12.12.2019
KEEP
THE PROMISE
International
Universal Health Coverage Day
Every
person—no matter who they are or where they live—should be able to get the
quality health services they need without facing financial hardship.
Three
months after the historic UN High-Level Meeting on Universal Health Coverage, join us on 12 December to tell
leaders to keep the promise of health
#Healthforall
#UHC2030 #UHCDay
Contact:
Tom R. Muyunga-Mukasa
Mobile: +254780808335
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