Conversion Therapy in Africa: An Assault on Human Rights and Ethical Healthcare
Posted: 18 July, 2024 Filed under: Jarred H Martin, Pierre Brouard | Tags: Africa, anti-LGBTQ legislation, anti-LGBTQ sentiments, aversion techniques, cisgender, consensual same-sex sexual relationships, conversion practices, discrimination, electrical shocks to the genitals, gender identity, healthcare, healthcare settings, heterosexuality, human rights, lgbtq, medical interventions, psychological counselling, queer, religious beliefs, same-sex sexual imagery, sexual orientation, sexuality education, Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act Leave a comment |
Author: Dr Jarred H. Martin (PhD Psychology), Department of Psychology, University of Pretoria |
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Author: Pierre Brouard (MA Clinical Psychology), Centre for Sexualities, AIDS & Gender, University of Pretoria |
Introduction
The recent publication of Outright International’s report, Health Ethics and the Eradication of Conversion Practices in Africa, draws needed attention to the prevalence of conversion practices in Africa, particularly within the context of healthcare settings. As psychologists, we write about conversion therapy as a subset of conversion practices (including those conducted by faith and cultural practitioners, often at the behest of family) aimed at changing an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity and expression. Conversion therapy can include psychological counselling, medical interventions, and aversion techniques, such as electrical shocks to the genitals during exposure to same-sex sexual imagery.
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