Time: 10.45 – 12.15
Venue: Auditorium
Reporters: Annet Kampororo and Ange Umutoni

The session focused on identifying how to create an inclusive society where everyone living in Africa be recognized. The presented shared with participants, the work do to meet the needs of their target populations which ranged from LGBTI to MSM sex workers and others. They all discussed the challenges they face and how to improve on their impact.

Speakers identified that members of the population are often forced to change their context, names, and ways of life. Changing names comes with its challenges. They often have to court for support to create safe spaces, and raise awareness about their rights.

Africa is a very diverse continent with differences in the proscribing and implementation of discriminatory laws. As a community of key populations, they also have to keep abreast with and actively engage with groups and persons who may help make changes in the laws or its implementation. The key advocacy is that the right of the general population should be accorded to key populations to enable them live lives outside the closet.

One of the participants made a call for help and support for key populations in Tanzania. They are isolated from the rest of the world but need to have the global responses addressing the needs of key populations extended to them.