Stories of Change: Healing and Justice for LBQGNC Womxn in Western Kenya 

For many LBQGNC (lesbian, bisexual, queer, and gender non-conforming) womxn* in Western Kenya, denied access to health care and justice has been a painful reality. Stigma and systemic exclusion have long stripped them of their right to health, safety, and dignity. Lake Region Womxn Health and Equal Rights (LARWHER), a community-based organisation supported by KIOS, is rewriting this narrative through transformative work—a holistic approach that merges mental health, self-care, and legal empowerment. In a region where oppressive cultural beliefs and systemic barriers continue to threaten the lives of young LBQGNC womxn, LARWHER is creating space for hope, justice, and community. 

With support from KIOS, LARWHER is advancing a holistic model that restores well-being and justice for queer womxn and gender-diverse persons.This approach has fostered resilience and community lead approch, directly benefiting over 200 individuals in Kisumu, Siaya, and Vihiga Counties through peer support and counselling, while engaging key stakeholders to shift attitudes toward survivor-centred responses. Awareness campaigns like #RedShoeChallenge under the broader #EndFemicideKe movement, have amplified advocacy impact. Indirectly, more LBQGNC womxn continue to benefit through LARWHER’s advocacy in platforms such as the Kenya Human Rights Platform, Kisumu County Mental Health Action Plan (2024-2029), and global forums like ILGA World Conference. 

Why Healing and Justice Matter 

“As a beneficiary, I’ve learned that healing is justice. Before, I didn’t think I could walk into a health clinic and be treated with respect or speak about what I’d gone through without fear of judgment. Now I know my voice matters.” – Akinyi, beneficiary of LARWHER’s work. 

For LBQGNC womxn, accessing healthcare without fear or reporting violence without shame has long been a challenge. LARWHER’s inspiring model focuses on two critical pillars for realising the human rights of LBQGNC communities: Health and Healing; championing access to safe, inclusive, and dignified healthcare and mental health services and Justice and Legal Empowerment; strengthening access to justice and protection from violence through rights awareness and accountability.  

This approach proves that healing and justice are inseparable when communities are supported and empowered to lead change.

Concrete Actions Driving Change 

 In partnership with Lumumba Sub-County Hospital and the Kisumu County Ministry of Health, LARWHER trained 18 healthcare workers on patient rights, confidentiality, and non-discrimination. By unpacking constitutional provisions on equality and dignity, the training helped transform Lumumba Hospital into a trusted, stigma-free facility for queer communities.

Additionally, four psychosocial support sessions combined creativity, mindfulness, and peer connection. These included art therapy and disclosure circles for LBQGNC womxn living with HIV, fostering emotional healing, and yoga and specialist talks for persons who use or inject drugs, offering stress reduction and harm-reduction guidance.

Post-session feedback showed that 90% of participants found the sessions “very helpful”, and all reported learning new coping strategies for mental health, and substance recovery.

The success of these sessions highlights the urgent need to expand innovative and customised mental health and wellness programmes for LBQGNC communities, especially in rural areas where stigma and isolation remain high. Sustained funding and partnerships could help LARWHER scale this model into a permanent Wellness and Safety Hub that provides ongoing wellness initiatives for young queers, such as counselling, group therapy, and emergency referrals.

“Our support group sessions have taught me the beauty of family. Even as I struggle with rehabilitation, I know one day I will be a winner.” — Scarlet, beneficiary

Ensuring Safety and Access to Justice and Accountability 

For LBQGNC womxn in Western Kenya, seeking justice has often meant navigating a maze of stigma, fear, and systemic bias. Supported by KIOS, LARWHER is changing that reality through practical interventions that make justice accessible and immediate.

In Siaya and Vihiga Counties, 40 LBQGNC womxn participated in Safety and Security Trainings, gaining essential knowledge on navigating police processes, reporting violence, and asserting their rights. These sessions were not just theoretical. They included emotional support from a counsellor and one-on-one consultations with a lawyer, ensuring participants could act on what they learned. For many, this was the first time they felt empowered to seek justice safely and assertively.

But justice isn’t only about legal literacy—it’s also about shifting narratives. LARWHER engaged 15 social media influencers to explore their role in shaping public discourse on sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and femicide. Through interactive sessions, influencers learned how to use their platforms responsibly to raise awareness, challenge harmful norms, and advocate for survivors. Their voices now strengthen a movement that prioritises empathy and accountability.

Institutional change is equally critical. In partnership with Voices of Women in Western Kenya (VOWWEK), LARWHER hosted a Values Clarification and Attitude Transformation (VCAT) workshop, bringing together 20 duty-bearers—including police officers, chiefs, health workers, lawyers, and clergy. These sessions prompted deep reflection on biases and led to commitments for survivor-centred responses. Continuous engagement through refresher workshops and accountability forums remains essential to dismantle systemic discrimination and build a culture of dignity and equality. 

Advocacy on Many Levels: from Policy to Shifting Attitudes 

Legal reform is a cornerstone of lasting justice. LARWHER submitted a Policy Brief on Advancing Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) to Kisumu County Government, influencing the review of the SRHR Bill 2025. A legal audit of the proposed anti-LGBTIQA+ bill (so called “Family Protection Bill”) identified over 30 unconstitutional clauses threatening rights to privacy, equality, and association. These findings strengthened advocacy efforts with legislators, Court Users Committees, and national commissions to ensure that policy reform translates into real protections for marginalised groups. 

Alongside policy work, LARWHER launched the #REDSHOE campaign, an intergenerational initiative that turned shoes into symbols of resilience and empowerment. Participants shared what their shoes would say if they could speak about SGBV and femicide, using art, storytelling, and social media to humanise statistics and amplify voices. This creative approach bridged generations and turned statistics into personal stories that demand action. 

Pathways to Real Change 

Healing and justice are inseparable. From safety trainings and influencer engagement to institutional reform and creative advocacy, these efforts prove that when communities are informed, supported, and empowered, change is not just possible—it’s unstoppable.

The powerful work of LARWHER has made significant impact on the lived lives of the community delivering tangible results such as:

• Improved healthcare access: Lumumba Hospital now offers inclusive, stigma-free services.
• Increased confidence: LBQGNC womxn feel safer reporting violations and seeking justice.
• Policy level change: Mental health issues for LBQGNC communities are now included in Kisumu County’s official health action plan. 

Yet, challenges remain. Persistent stigma and institutional bias require continued training for healthcare professionals and duty-bearers, the institutionalisation of spaces for self-care and wellbeing, and ongoing legal advocacy to protect queer and gender-diverse persons.
 

“Our work at LARWHER is anchored on the belief that healing and justice are not parallel paths; they are intertwined. When LBQGNC womxn can access healthcare without fear, speak their truth without shame, and find solidarity in community, that is where real change begins.”
— Vera Atieno, Advocacy & Partnerships Officer, LARWHER 

 

*the term womxn is used in this article to reflect the chosen terminology of LARWHER. The term refers to community LARWHER support consisting of LBQ GNC (Lesbian, Bisexual, Queer, and Gender Non Conforming) youth.   

KIOS has supported the work of LARWHER since 2024. This article was written in collaboration with LARWHER. More about the organisation and their work: https://larwher.org/about-us/