Recently I had the good fortune of attending a
HIV and AIDS workshop where an invited activist had the following opening
statements:
“I need you to know that it is for your
benefit that I am here. I am not happy to be here. My presence here is a favour
for you – not me.”
These words from a Key Population
health and rights activist bring to the fore public health implications:After knocking doors, certain sections of Key populations are giving up. Yet they are giving up well aware that the general public health outcomes will not be any better, in fact they will be worse off, if they are left out.
A monumental change is happening – The conversations
are no longer about “we are here, we are
here to stay, and we want our rights.” Rather, it is becoming, “We are here, we are here to stay but your
wealth and health will be worse off, if we do not work together. We are doing
you a favour in coming out.”
Unfortunately the society – lead by a
political class, who would rather the public health imperatives be dictated by
popular whims, has already played their trump card. The situations of violence
and blackmail continue unabated. And of course there is always the
criminalization card – never mind these laws remain the most outstanding evidence of lack
of capacity by the African person, to bring colonial laws in sync
with their public health interests.
The message from the activist then is this –
“We are here and here to stay. You have
made it the worst it can be for us – for now we shall work with you BUT we know
it is for your benefit. You would be most foolish to think we shall always be
this generous!”
I hope someone is listening because its
either we thrive together or sink together. Granted our sinking may be more
dramatic than yours – but we are all sinking regardless! I can only hope someone is listening.
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