Médecins Sans Frontières - Youth Friendly Center

Unique Identifier Code / URN MSB223975

Date taken / Date Recorded 18/02/2025 12:00 AM

Country Kenya

Detailed location Mombassa

Commissioning section MSF-SWITZERLAND

Photographer / videographer / producer Bernadette Schober

Copyright Bernadette Schober/MSF

Usage Rights (MSF) Advertising Campaign, External Media, MSF Fundraising, MSF Publications, Social Media

Formal Consent Copy available no

Project section OCG

Editor's rating ★★★ (F)

Maximum Size 1600px × 1200px 214.90 KB

Additional Information / Shotlist Globally, adolescents and young people face unique challenges to their health and well-being along with a diverse range of health disparities. Notably, adolescents and young people face disproportionately high rates of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), sexual and gender-based violence, unplanned pregnancies, and mental health issues including substance abuse.

The Mombasa project is meant to provide medical assistance and services to young people and young key population aged 10-24, including people who sell sex, people who use drugs, people living on the streets and LGBTQI+ communities, who often encounter stigma and exclusion. The project not only addresses healthcare but also focuses on improving nutrition, hygiene, and economic empowerment and ensuring legal access.

Since 2018 when the Court of Appeal ruled in favor of the National Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (NGLHRC), allowing the group to officially register despite objections from the government, LGBTQI+ individuals and organizations have become more visible in Kenyan society. Advocacy groups have worked to provide legal aid, health services, and platforms for community building. Furthermore, HIV/AIDS programs have indirectly advanced LGBTQI+ rights by providing targeted health services to men who have sex with men (MSM) and other marginalized groups. While stigma persists, these programs have created opportunities for dialogue about inclusivity in healthcare.

Since 2022 the election of President Ruto, he has taken a public stance in favour of greater restrictions on the rights of LGBTQI+ people, marking a step backwards from the progress seen in recent years. Lately, the criminalization of private consensual same-sex sexual activity between adults leaves sexual and gender minorities at serious risk of harm and systematic exclusion.

LGBTIQ+ in Kenya experience discrimination, violence, hate crimes, harassment, lack of protection by law enforcement and government officials, stigma while accessing services, and denial of health services.