Moving beyond the politization of same-sex sexuality and leveraging right to health to counter inter-personal sexual violence and HIV in Malawi's prisons

Sexual minority rights in contemporary Africa is a contentious issue, where some countries, same-sexuality portrayed by media and politicians as “un-African” “white disease” imported from the West. Same-sex sexual activity criminalised 31 African countries. Political, legal religious frameworks exacerbate homophobic attitudes, related discrimination hate crimes toward individuals who identify lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT). We focus here on of people prison to protection harm (same-sex violence sexually transmitted diseases), (in many countries) are ignored national HIV prevention programming. Prison conditions harsh congested, with inadequate basic needs provisions this fuels exposure vulnerable engagement survival sex. rates prisons also disproportionately higher than community. present socio-legal assessment Malawi same-sex behaviours criminalised. The highlights how inmates’ invisible political, legal, human public health/HIV agendas Malawi. Notwithstanding that Penal Code Act prohibits activity, there enormous complications victim disclosure, claims rape infer sodomy has occurred, resulting arrest. tackling HIV, advocate for broad based torture initiatives protect inter-personal violence, consequent acquisition onward transmission HIV. voices regrettably still kept out societal health discourses. • including Same-sexuality crimes. Prisoners' Congested fuel Broad can against prevent prisoners