S3 E11: #Tech4Rights: Reflections on conversion therapy, current practices, emerging technology, and the protection of LGBTQ+ rights in Africa

<p>In conversation with Ms Thiruna Naidoo</p> <p>The <a href='https://www.chr.up.ac.za/'>Centre for Human Rights</a>, <a href='https://www.up.ac.za/'>University of Pretoria</a> is pleased to announce the publication of the third paper in the <a href='http://www.chr.up.ac.za/ahrpp'>African Human Rights Policy Papers</a> series.</p> <p>This episode reflects on the newly launched African Human Rights Policy Paper <a href='https://www.chr.up.ac.za/images/centrenews/2021/Current_practices_in_conversion_therapy_and_emerging_technology_14_May_2021.pdf'>Conversion therapy: Current practices, emerging technology and the protection of LGBTQ+ rights in Africa</a>. This policy paper has been prepared by <a href='https://www.chr.up.ac.za/sogiesc-unit'>the Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression and Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC) Unit</a> at the <a href='https://www.chr.up.ac.za/'>Centre for Human Rights</a>, <a href='https://www.up.ac.za/faculty-of-law'>Faculty of Law</a>, <a href='https://www.up.ac.za/'>University of Pretoria</a>. ‘Conversion therapy’ is a broad term that refers to therapy techniques or other activities that attempt to change or alter sexual orientation, or reduce a person’s attraction to other persons of the same sex, and instil conventional gender roles.</p> <p>In this conversation is Ms Thiruna Naidoo, Project Officer,  SOGIESC Unit, and Communications and Advocacy Associate, Centre for Human Rights. She begins by giving an overview of the findings of the policy paper and goes on to explain the different forms of conversion therapy. Ms Naidoo explains how legal frameworks reconcile with evolving forms of digital technology in how they appear to conform to legal standards and yet remain harmful in their effects. </p> <p>Ms Naidoo is a multidisciplinary artist, author and visual creative interested in the intersections of human rights law, advocacy and the arts. Specifically, she is keen on how these intersections relate to the rights of LGBTIQ+ persons and other vulnerable groups such as