Call for Abstracts: A reader on the best interest of the African queer child and surviving conversion therapy in Africa (working title)
The Centre for Human Rights is seeking a wide range of multidisciplinary submissions for the compilation of a reader on the best interest of the African queer child and surviving conversion therapy in Africa. The central objective of the proposed reader is to advocate for the eradication of conversion therapy targeted at African queer children guided by the rationality of the best interests’ principle, a child’s evolving capacity and a child’s age. In analysing legislation and case law, cultural, religious and societal understanding of gender identity and expression, sexual orientation and sexual characteristics the book further aims to clarify the complex issues of childhood conversion therapy, spotlight their different approaches to childhood conversion therapy and to suggest the statutory recognition of the rights of a queer child in domestic African law.
Method of the reader
The reader adopts a multi-disciplinary research approach, rooted in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (African Charter), the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (African Children’s Charter), the Resolution on Protection against Violence and other Human Rights Violations against Persons on the basis of their real or imputed Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity (Resolution 275), the Resolution on the Promotion and the Protection of the Rights of Intersex Persons in Africa (Resolution 552) and the Principles on the application of international human rights law in relation to sexual orientation and gender identity (Yogyakarta Principles), as it seeks to elucidate the contested three-way partnership among queer children/adolescent/adults, parent(s)/guardians/family members and the other stakeholders involved in relation to most conversion therapy approaches. Stakeholders here include physicians, therapists, faith leaders/practitioners, employers, colleagues, law enforcement, teachers, classmates, mentors as well as other state and non-state actors that interact with queer persons, their identities and citizenship/belonging across various African contexts.
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