UpBrigade hosts national dialogue to build consensus for a national advocacy plan on BAI |24 June 2022

Participants and guests in a souvenir photograph (Photo: Salome Abel)

United for a Purpose Brigade (UpBrigade) yesterday hosted a National Dialogue to build consensus for a national advocacy plan on Bodily Autonomy and Integrity (BAI) in relation to Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights, HIV prevention, access to safe abortion, and Sexual Orientation Gender Identity and Expression.

The dialogue, held yesterday at the Savoy Resort and Spa, brings together an array of key experts from the various sectors namely public, private, media as well as civil society.

UpBrigade is a non-governmental organisation based in Seychelles and is leading this process since Seychelles embarked on the BAI regional advocacy campaign in July 2021 initiated by the Aids Rights Alliance of Southern Africa (Arasa) in 10 African countries.

The overarching vision of this regional campaign is to promote respect for and the protection of the rights to bodily autonomy and integrity for all in order to reduce inequality, especially gender inequality, and promote health, dignity, and wellbeing for sustainable development in southern and east Africa.

Under this campaign, Seychelles has established a national civil society activists think tank and a national civil society coalition of progressive, passionate, and influential civil society organisations for the implementation at the national level. Bodily autonomy and integrity, a fundamental right, remains elusive for many people globally and in the Southern and Eastern African region for millions of women and girls as well as LGBTI people.

In that same region, most countries are still facing ongoing challenges when it comes to the response to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) of which Seychelles is not an exception. Bodily autonomy relates to autonomous decision-making about what happens to your body and the ability to carry out the decisions you have made whereas bodily integrity relates to actual physical interference with your body.

Sabrina Mousbe, project founder, noted that this is the second national consultation on BAI undertaken by UpBrigade in relation to this regional advocacy campaign.

“It is anticipated that today’s dialogue will enable vibrant discussions so that the proposed BAI Advocacy Plan in relation to HIV Prevention, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Expression as well as access to safe abortion for the country, can be agreed upon. Additionally, it aims at forging synergy between all of us in pursuit of a common goal, which is advocating for the right to BAI in Seychelles.

“To have an impact on the effectiveness of the BAI advocacy, our work as advocates and implementers must be based on evidence, deep understanding, and the ability to transform the diversity of our views and perspectives into realities and possibilities. That collectiveness and collaboration, are crucial to intensifying our advocacy efforts. This is why in the room today, we have an array of representation from the public, private, media, and civil society sectors.”

Fabianna Bonne spoke about the rights to BAI in relation to HIV Prevention, SRHR, access to safe abortion and sexual orientation and gender identity & expression. What is bodily autonomy? What is bodily integrity? And is bodily autonomy and integrity a right? How is BAI relevant in Seychelles? Fabianna Bonne shared that “Seychelles is party to all major human rights instruments eg children, disabled, women, against torture, civil political rights, social economic & cultural rights, etc. We are part of multilateral & regional instruments - African Union (ACHPR), Commonwealth Charter, SADC, Indian Ocean and we have the Constitution. Bodily autonomy and bodily integrity are the cornerstone of sexual and reproductive health and rights. The right to sexual and reproductive health is an integral part of the right to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, enshrined in article 12 of the ICESCR. The right to sexual and reproductive health entails both freedoms and entitlements: Freedoms include the right of individuals to make free and responsible decisions and choices concerning their bodies and their sexual and reproductive health. Entitlements include unhindered access to a range of health facilities, goods, services, and information that enable people to fulfil the right to sexual and reproductive health.”

Ms Bonne presented some of the challenges and how can they be addressed. Regarding HIV prevention, they recommended to conduct an assessment to identify the trained professionals to engage them in HIV response; to review the national coordinating body to ensure that it delivers on its mandate; decentralise HIV services in the country; develop and implement a health education strategy that builds knowledge on stigma and discrimination for a national impact and review the management of HIV commodities.

The dialogue was indeed quite hot and the panellists and the participants debated a lot on all the issues and access to contraceptives and access to safe abortion.

All recommendations will be compiled by the organisers and shared with the stakeholders.

The panellists comprised Jane Larue (gender secretariat), Alvin Laurence (Ceps), Tessa Henderson (Seychelles Media Commission), Reverend Paul Hermite Freminot (Pentecostal), Patricia Bacquerot (National Aids Council), Daniella Payet (representative of private clinic), Michele Harter (Human Rights Commission), Beryl Valentin (Ministry of Health). Also present were members of the National Assembly Doyace Poris and Rosie Bistoquet.

Vidya Gappy