Statistics from the Ministry of Health show that homosexuals are most at risk of contracting HIV as they represent 7% of all infected people in the country. The report of the activities of the Ministry of Health during the year 2019-2020, shows that women who commit adultery and men who have sex with other men are at the head of the AIDS virus.
These women make up 35.5% of people living with HIV in the country, while men who have sex with men make up 7%. The secretary general of the board of directors of the Federation of non-governmental organizations for the fight against AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria and the promotion of health (RNGOF) and director of the RDFP, Mukantabana Crescence, said that one of the reasons why these numbers are high among homosexuals , it is because this group of people is less likely to seek specialized medical services.
In a recent interview with Deep news Rwanda , Nabonibo Albert explained how as soon as he revealed that he had gay feelings, he was ridiculed by society and it had a visible impact on him. Mukantabana Crescence, said same-sex children in Rwanda still have obstacles related to the law that protects them, which results in some victims of abuse not receiving help.
However, he said much has been done to get many of them to come forward, a very important issue as it is often kept secret in order to avoid violence. Currently, it is estimated that more than 35,000 people are having same-sex sex in Rwanda, as announced by Mukantabana. He said, “They’re there, that’s obvious. When I finished the numbers, they reached 35,000. 35,000 Rwandans is a lot.
Nabonibo told The media that many may have exceeded that number, but some have not yet been able to express their feelings as it may affect them.
One of the gay children we spoke to said: “Admitting to saying you have sex with the same sex is a difficult thing, a lot of young people avoid doing it because they don’t meet their family, or that they lose job opportunities, etc. on.”
“Doing it requires courage, that’s why it is done by a few, people are becoming more courageous due to the growing awareness in society. It’s not that gay people in Rwanda are few, it’s that they refuse to show it just to protect their interests.”
He added that although there is a lot to do, he appreciates the freedom they have in Rwanda compared to other parts of Africa. He said: “We have the same rights as others before the law, there are no special laws that punish us, it’s something we are grateful to the government for even though there is a lot of work to do, but you see we don’t have any disenfranchisement issues involving the government, that’s why many wouldn’t dare to go there, showing their physique.
The state has risen
In various countries, the percentage of members of the LGBTQ community (children of the same sex) is higher than that of other population groups, which is an advantage when it comes to young people, who are of childbearing age. learn and understand the nature of their sexuality.
This is the case in countries like the United States of America, where the number of young people from homosexual families having suicidal thoughts is twice as high as that of other young people.
One of the reasons for this is condemnation and ostracism, where people who have revealed that they have sex with the same sex, are ridiculed and rejected or deprived of different opportunities, it makes them more depressed and confident. , some of them don’t have a place to solve their problems until they face them.
Internationally, especially in developed countries, there is a campaign to educate people that people who live with the same sex are people like other people, because of the way they were created and that this behavior is not a choice, but their nature.
For those who follow football, especially the English Premier League, you’ll love seeing team captains wearing rainbow colored scarves, which is the gay flag. This also goes for soccer balls, shoelaces, etc., all intended to further the campaign of the gay community.
History shows that members of this family lived for two thousand years before the birth of Jesus, appearing on all continents of the world and in different races of people. Homosexuality is not just a human behavior, as this behavior is also seen in over 1,500 other species of animals, including birds, mammals, mammals, and even small mammals.
There are many programs aimed at addressing the issues of gay children, as Director of the Human Rights Department of the Life Development Organization (HDI), Christopher Sengoga, recently told the media. .
He said, “Another challenge they face is access to health services. Many doctors still do not know how to take care of them in a special way, although we cooperate with government agencies to train them, so that when they go to seek services related to their particular health, they will find them without any obstacles. . “
In addition to the training of doctors, other activities have been carried out to help the members of this family lead a healthy life, including giving them training on the AIDS epidemic and campaigning on the use of condoms. , and they are also asked to do more self-examinations to find out about his health. .
On behalf of the Ministry of Health of Rwanda, he is doing everything possible to help these family members to get tested for HIV, to obtain PrEP pills which prevent the person from infecting the virus with those with whom she has sex and HIV medication.
Niyingenera Callixte, who is in charge of monitoring the activities of RNGOF members in Kigali City and Eastern Province, told that they are trying to help people living with the same sex to surrender. To the Doctor to treat genital diseases. He added, “We also sell products that include condoms and lubricants. More than that, we also try to plead for their justice as they want too because they are people like the others.
He added, “We also sell products that include condoms and lubricants. More than that, we also try to plead for their justice as they want too because they are people like the others.
He explained that they have not yet been welcomed into the wider Rwandan community, saying: “The Rwandan community should not kill them and throw stones at them, but they should be helped in what they are doing. , and we should advocate for what can be done to prevent these diseases and violence, but their rights are needed. »
Confidence of the LGBTQ protection law in Rwanda?
Rwanda is one of the African countries that has no law against same-sex children. According to these terms, the Constitution of the Republic of Rwanda neither authorizes nor condemns the behaviors and habits of persons of the same sex.
However, in its article 16, it states that “All Rwandans are born and continue to have equal rights and freedoms”.
Only in its 17th article is it included that “A legal marriage is between a man and a woman”, a controversial point as same-sex couples can live together as a couple.
The Media confirmed that the lawyers of the Coalition of Non-Governmental Organizations, including GLIHD, HDI and RNGOF, have prepared a draft law on the rights of gay children, where it is said that this bill has been finalized and that they were preparing to submit it to Parliament.
The informant said, “It is a law that allows other services to be provided in the country as Rwandans in general. It’s not support for them to go and do what they want openly, we support them.”
“It gives them the same services as any other Rwandan, so the places they go to will not be considered places of killing. am not ashamed to have children with someone of the same sex.”
Niyinygenera said that as a civil society, they urge parents to support the rights of their children when expressing feelings such as homosexuality, and to express them at a young age. He explained that it allows children to develop better, to accept themselves better and to focus on their development, rather than isolation and self-confidence.
Eric TWAHIRWA