The sexual health needs of sexual minority women in Western Kenya: An exploratory community assessment and public policy analysis

Sexual health and rights are a core feature of human development. Yet, most work on sexual health and wellbeing in the Global South and elsewhere has historically focused on heterosexual, cisgender people, as well as sexual minority cisgender men and transgender women. This exploratory study includes an analysis of comments made during a facilitated community forum and an examination of the sociopolitical and legal environment relevant to sexual minority women's health in Kenya. Through analysis of the group discussion hosted by a sexual minority women's group, we identified multiple sexual health-related issues, including concerns related to healthcare access, healthy sexual relationships, economic instability, and freedom from violence. Based on issues identified by the forum, we conducted an analysis of law and policy in the areas of community need. The legal and policy analysis indicated that the public policy and health policy context is complicated by the presence of hostile laws regarding same-sex sexuality, an absence of economic policies to protect women, and yet some existing health policy inclusive of sexual and gender minorities that nonetheless render sexual minority women invisible. The findings indicate a need for focus on public opinion, health services, legislation, and health policy as sites of intervention.