 I had the honor to represent Gender DynamiX on the Women’s sector summit conference held in Johannesburg on 8 to 9 March 2007. The aim of the conference was to get input from the women’s sector and to influence the National Strategic Plan on Aids. You might wonder what a transman was doing at a women’s event, but rest assure, although far in the minority, there were also a few other males present to represent women and to give support!
It was a well organised event but still a huge struggle to get everything packed into the limited time available.
Day one kicked off with registration, explanation of the program, an inspirational talk from the Deputy Minister of Health, explanations regarding the SA National Aids Council (SANAC) restructuring, the National Strategic Plan (NSP) process and what they need from the summit, shared experience of a women living with HIV, a talk about what research is telling about women with AIDS, and instructions on group work.
The afternoon was taken up by committing one self to some of the 10 different groups, each to come up with ideas as to what should be included into the strategic plan around these topics. The idea was that people should move between 2- 3 different groups and provide input. Each group was lead by a facilitator and provided with an expert/s in the specific field. The groups were as follows:
- The status of women
- Gender based violence and HIV
- Reproductive health A
- Pregnant women & Reproductive health B
- Treatment and prevention
- Care and support
- Schools
- Health systems
- Communication strategies
- Civil society
I decided to join the “Gender based violence and HIV” group, as I felt that it was an area where the Transgender community could be hugely impacted.
Our session was loaded with various discussions, suggestions and input, and flew by so quickly that there was no time left to visit any other groups as well! The group sessions spilled over into the next morning where the facilitators had to put together all the information and close the sessions. That was followed by a presentation and discussion of the synthesized log frame, and nominations and motivations of the women’s sector structure. A voting process for the 4 women’s sector representatives for SANAC followed, and while the votes had been counted, a presentation and discussion on the declaration of commitment was given. I have asked that “transwomen and intersexed women” also be specified in the protection of women against violence in the declaration of commitment. The event was closed by announcing the sector’s reps and the reps then gave the way forward for the sector.
I must applaud Government for allowing various sectors to influence the strategic plan, and if as much came from the other sectors as from the women’s, then it should be a fantastic tool in the prevention of aids! Unfortunately  LGBTI organisations weren’t invited by government as a sector to give input, but fortunately some LGBT organisations made their presence within the other formal sectors. It was encouraging to also hear some lesbian voices that said, we are also here and this is how we are affected. I also want to thank Women’s Net for extending an invitation to Gender DynamiX, and Gender DynamiX for taking up the offer as I feel that was very important. Why is this so important? If we don’t speak up as part of a minority, and if we don’t put our specific challenges and needs out there, then the majority will think that we don’t exist or don’t have specific issues. We also remain part of society and share huge commonalities, and also got valuable contributions to make to this world we all share.
The draft plan and inputs from the different groups can be viewed at http://www.womensnet.org.za/services/NSP/mainpage.html
Lex Kirsten
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