Prisons have traditionally been built for men and designed to cater to their needs. Women and transgender people are a growing prison population with unique and complex healthcare needs that are often neglected, and their situation is exacerbated by stigma, discrimination, gender-based violence and inequality in accessing prison services.
This side event will bring together member states, intergovernmental organisations, and civil society to consider national efforts in addressing the healthcare needs of women and transgender people in prison and the challenges they face. It will include the perspectives of those with lived experience of detention and recommendations from key UN publications.
Side event at the 32nd Session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice. Organised by UNODC HIV/AIDS Section, supported by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Penal Reform International, International Drug Policy Consortium, and the Permanent Missions of Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic, EU, Finland, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Mexico, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, Thailand, UK and USA.
Programme
Opening remarks – Jean-Luc Lemahieu, Director of the Division for Policy Analysis and Public Affairs (DPA), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
Impact of overincarceration on women’s right to health – Zaved Mahmood, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
Thailand experience – Vitchavud Suppipat, Director, Foreign Affairs Sub Division, Department of Corrections, Thailand
Gender-based barriers to vital health services in prison – Rosma Karlina, Suar Perempuan Lingkar Napza Nusantara (Womxn’s Voice), Indonesia
Addressing gender-based violence in detention – Doreen Gaura, Just Detention International-South Africa (JDI-SA)
Experience and healthcare needs of transgender people in prison – Tebogo Mokobori, Queer rights activist and member of JDI-SA’s Survivor Council
Moderated by Tríona Lenihan, Policy and International Advocacy Manager, Penal Reform International