2. Mercy Mutonyi HIV Prevention Manager/AVAC Fellow 2019
Meeting the Needs of Women in All Their Diversity: Perspectives from the Bar Hostess and Empowerment Program in Kenya
Mercy Mutonyi
HIV Prevention Manager/AVAC Fellow 2019
@Bhesp
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3. BHESP Overview
Sex worker-led CBO formed in 1998 in response to high prevalence of HIV and violence among sex workers in Kenya
Started as a small CBO operating in a bar; now have three clinics serving over 12,000 sex workers
Our mission is to influence policy and facilitate provision of quality health services, human rights awareness, legal services, and economic empowerment for sex workers, women who have sex with women, women using drugs, and bar hostesses in Kenya
Since 2016, we have been an implementing partner of the USAID/PEPFAR-supported LINKAGES project, working to improve sex workers’ uptake of services across the HIV cascade in Nairobi

4. Needs of Diverse Women in Kenya
A tribunal to review matters relating to stigma and discrimination against female sex workers, bar hostesses, & young women
Unbiased judiciary system that ensures access to justice regardless of the nature of one’s diversity
Access to comprehensive HIV and SRH services free from stigma and discrimination, including emergency services (e.g., post-rape care) and ART (even when in detention)
Fair labour practices including right to employment, fair remuneration, and reasonable working conditions
Equal access to government services including police protection
Involvement of women of diversity in formulation of policies and laws and their implementation especially laws revolving around health.

5. BHESP’s Gender Transformative Approaches1
Increase access to comprehensive HIV prevention, care, and treatment services
Established stigma-free drop in centres, outreach programs, and safe spaces that meet the needs of female sex workers and young women 2
Empower diverse women to take leadership
Trained women as paralegals to take the lead in raising awareness and championing women’s rights, and monitoring and responding to cases of gender-based violence
Conduct rights-based advocacy
Leading campaigns that promote sex workers’ right to participation in decision-making chambers (e.g. TWGs and task forces) 3
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6. BHESP’s Gender Transformative Approaches
Monitor gender-based violence
Took several GBV cases involving HIV positive sex workers and young women to Kenya HIV tribunal 5
Respond to gender-based violence
Set up Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms involving local chiefs, police bosses, BHESP staff, and peer educators 6
Support economic empowerment
Established income generating activities and saving mechanisms to supplement income
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This is BHESP’S way of responding to GBV cases and getting timely justice for her members in light of the long tedious and costly formal justice systems which may be unavailable to survivors.

7. Stay Connected with BHESP
Follow BHESP on Twitter: Like BHESP on Facebook: Visit our Site