Supporting learning to improve the experiences of LGBTQ+ communities
The College was pleased to welcome a cohort of Commonwealth Fellows being supported by UCL to Prescot Street recently, as part of its commitment to learning and sharing best practice in the UK and internationally.
The visit was part of a fellowship programme that aims to help the Fellows develop a project to improve the healthcare experiences of LGBTQ+ communities in their own countries – particularly challenging given local anti-LGBTQ+ laws that criminalise same sex activity and can result in imprisonment or even death. More than half of Africa’s 54 nations prohibit consensual same-sex activity, according to the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA).
During their visit, led by Joint Presidential Lead for Equity and Equality, Dr Raj Mohan, the Fellows engaged with various stakeholders, including Rainbow Special Interest Group leads, the College's CEO and Director of Strategic Communications, NCCMH leads and co-chairs of the staff Sexuality, Gender, Equity and Inclusion Forum (SGEI), who shared their insights into the College’s approach and practices relating to equity, diversity and inclusion and how it influences wider policy in this area.
We also discussed strategic priorities, communication strategies, and initiatives such as the Women's Mental Health Matters Strategy, commitments to fostering an LGBTQ+ friendly workplace, Advancing Mental Health Equity (AMHE) and the role of the Rainbow Special Interest Group (SIG) and SGEI forum.
The visiting Fellows, chosen from 385 applicants for the programme, hail from diverse professional backgrounds and are deeply committed to advancing mental health equity and ensuring that mental health services are inclusive, respectful, and effective for all individuals, irrespective of sexual orientation or gender identity.
Dr Alozie Emeonye is an ophthalmologist working for the Nigerian Federal Government; Dr Gabriel Obokon is an epidemiology and public health expert working for the Nigerian national agency in charge of HIV care; Dr Paul Mwale is an ophthalmologist and human rights lawyer at the Ministry of Health in Zambia; Dr Alice Apoio, public health specialist who runs LGBTQ+ clinics for the Government of Uganda and NGOs; Dr Rashin Saba is a maxillofacial surgeon and public health expert working for the Ministry of Health in Bangladesh.
Overseeing the programme is Professor Irwin Nazareth, Professor of Primary Care and Population Health, Director PRIMENT CTU at UCL, who also attended.