Human Rights Approach in Promoting Rights of Vulnerable Women; the HIV Infected and Affected in Tinderet, Nandi County

Jack Ochieng’ Nyaliech ,Thomas Otieno Juma

doi:10.7176/jlpg/99-05

Abstract

This paper sought to examine human rights approach in promoting rights of vulnerable women. HIV/AIDS infected and affected Women in Kenya right’s such us autonomy, equality in relationships, security of property ownership, financial control and health care still persist. Equally, some laws have continued to deny women the right to make decisions relating to their lives, their children, their property, and their health yet women’s human rights are Human Rights. This coupled with the fact that Kenya is a signatory to and has adopted applicable human rights instrument. The study focused on vulnerable women in Tinderet Sub-County, Kenya. Study adopted mixed method while using systematic sampling techniques to select 114 key informant respondents. The data collection methods included use of personal interviews, in- depth interviews, and key informant interviews. Quantitative and qualitative approaches were used in the study and for data analysis where themes, content analysis, and relevant SPSS tool were employed. The paper found that there is need to promote rights of HIV/AIDS vulnerable women through approaches such as; educating them on their rights, created forums for discussing issues affecting them, advocating their welfare, and protecting them from gender-based violence. It concluded that INGOs such as World Vision have played a significant role in promoting the rights of the vulnerable such as women through community led approaches which are easy to implement with better outcomes. Keywords: Human Rights, Human Rights Approaches, Women Rights, Rights of Vulnerable, Persons with HIV/AIDs Rights, Health Rights DOI: 10.7176/JLPG/99-05 Publication date: July 31 st 2020

Highlights

Human Rights approach in our thinking would be the conceptual grounding of human rights normatively to international standards and operationalizing them towards an end, in this case to promote and protect rights of vulnerable women
Other International commitments like United Nations Commission on the Status of Women(1946), Global Coalition on Women and AIDS, a new initiative launched by UNAIDS involving activists and other non-state actors, In 2003, Task Force on Women, Girls and HIV/AIDS in Southern Africa (2003), which identified key actions to reduce girls’ and women’s prevalence rates,2006 UN political declaration on women rights, CEDAW,Beijing Platform for Action (1995),Millenniums Development goals (2000) and Sustainable Development Goals (2015) and other regional and states legal instruments have done much in promoting the human rights of women infected and affected with HIV but much is yet to be achieved
This study found out that World Vision promoted the rights of HIV/AIDS vulnerable women through; Educating women on their rights through live shows in vernacular radio stations like Kitwek or Chamgei FM where World Vision officials or any of their representatives could attend and educate listeners on the rights of HIV vulnerable Children .they used training, seminars, workshops and focused group discussions as means of educating people on the rights of women

Summary

Introduction

Human Rights approach in our thinking would be the conceptual grounding of human rights normatively to international standards and operationalizing them towards an end, in this case to promote and protect rights of vulnerable women. International non-governmental organizations like World Vision have been supporting implementation of various approaches to promote the rights of women infected and affected with HIV in Kenya for sustainable development.

Results

Conclusion