In Kenya, UNAIDS and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) brought together representatives of civil society organizations from the people living with HIV, women’s and human rights sectors to discuss their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Participants raised concerns about the use of criminal law to restrict people’s movements and incidents of police brutality to enforce the state-imposed curfew.
As a result of this meeting, they issued an open letter to the Government of Kenya, asking for a response to COVID-19 that puts communities at the centre and respects the rights and dignity of all. They called on the government to do what works for HIV prevention and treatment, rather than developing disproportionate and coercive approaches.
“UNAIDS is advocating for a COVID-19 response that is grounded in the realities of people’s lives and focused on eliminating the barriers people face in being able to protect themselves and their communities,” said Medhin Tsehaui, UNAIDS Country Director in Kenya. “We need to act with empathy so that people can act without fear of losing their livelihood, food security and the respect of their community.”
UNAIDS has also provided technical support to the The National Empowerment Network of People living with HIV/AIDS in Kenya to develop messages on COVID-19 for people living with HIV to be distributed to its members.
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