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“Empowerment for Us by Us (E4UBU)”: Developing a Model of Empowerment Using Feminist Participatory Methods with LBQT+ Persons Assigned Female at Birth in Western Kenya

Author

Listed:
  • Heather M. Tucker

    (Center for Global Health Equity, School of Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA)

  • Rebecca Odhiambo

    (Women Empower and Mentor All, CBO, Kisumu 40100, Kenya)

  • Laura Jadwin-Cakmak

    (School of Public Health, Health Behavior and Health Education, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA)

  • Anita Mbanda

    (Women Empower and Mentor All, CBO, Kisumu 40100, Kenya)

  • Ashley Lacombe-Duncan

    (School of Social Work, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA)

  • Caroline Rucah

    (Western Kenya LBQT Feminist Forum, Kisumu 40100, Kenya)

  • Ini-Abasi Ubong

    (School of Public Health, Health Behavior and Health Education, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA)

  • Cynthia Akoth Ouko

    (Homa Bay LBQT Womxn Network, Homa Bay 40300, Kenya)

  • Wilson Odero

    (School of Medicine, Maseno University, Kisumu 40100, Kenya)

  • Gary W. Harper

    (School of Public Health, Health Behavior and Health Education, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA)

Abstract

Lesbian, bisexual, queer, trans and other gender diverse persons assigned female at birth (heretofore referred to as “LBQT+ persons”) in Western Kenya experience intersectional oppression and stigma. This stigma can manifest in acts of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and sexual and gender minority (SGM)-based violence, as well as various forms of discrimination—all of which have been linked to disproportionately higher levels of negative health outcomes for this group. Despite these challenges, many LBQT+ persons have been able to gain personal and collective power and thrive in this oppressive environment. The Empowerment for Us by Us (E4UBU) project is a mixed methods feminist participatory research study focused on exploring how LBQT+ persons conceptualize and define empowerment for themselves, and to understand their perspectives on how feelings of power and powerlessness influence their physical and mental health. This paper focuses on data from the first phase of the study, in which qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted with 40 LBQT+ persons (ages 19 to 50) from Kisumu and Homa Bay in Western Kenya. A participatory interpretive phenomenological analysis was conducted to understand the lived experiences of LBQT+ persons as they navigate intersectional oppression and its influence on their experiences of empowerment and subsequent health outcomes. Findings from this analysis were presented to two different focus groups composed of participants who had participated in the in-depth interviews to gather their insights on the interpretations of the interviews as a form of member checking. Findings revealed that “empowerment” was not experienced and viewed by LBQT+ persons as a monolithic construct, but rather a process through which LBQT+ persons are able to transform negative forces of intersectional oppression and powerlessness into experiences of power and subsequent individual and collective action and impact—all leading to improved mental health and well-being. This process is facilitated at several junctures by participatory seeking and attainment of community-appropriate resources at multiple socio-ecological levels that, when accessed with sufficient intensity, frequency, and duration, enhance one’s journey through the process of empowerment. These facilitation junctures are viewed as likely points of focus for public health intervention. Analysis also revealed that the process of empowerment is dependent on the context within which the process is occurring, the specific issues being faced, and the population of focus. Recommendations for how this model can be used for future research and practice to improve the lives of LBQT+ persons in Kenya are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Heather M. Tucker & Rebecca Odhiambo & Laura Jadwin-Cakmak & Anita Mbanda & Ashley Lacombe-Duncan & Caroline Rucah & Ini-Abasi Ubong & Cynthia Akoth Ouko & Wilson Odero & Gary W. Harper, 2024. "“Empowerment for Us by Us (E4UBU)”: Developing a Model of Empowerment Using Feminist Participatory Methods with LBQT+ Persons Assigned Female at Birth in Western Kenya," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(7), pages 1-13, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:21:y:2024:i:7:p:948-:d:1438849
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Srilatha Batliwala, 2007. "Taking the power out of empowerment – an experiential account," Development in Practice, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 17(4-5), pages 557-565.
    2. Bowleg, L., 2012. "The problem with the phrase women and minorities: Intersectionality-an important theoretical framework for public health," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 102(7), pages 1267-1273.
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