Conversion Therapy in Africa: An Assault on Human Rights and Ethical Healthcare

Posted on July 18, 2024

Introduction

The recent publication of Outright International’s report, Health Ethics and the Eradication of Conversion Practices in Africa, draws needed attention to the prevalence of conversion practices in Africa, particularly within the context of healthcare settings. As psychologists, we write about conversion therapy as a subset of conversion practices (including those conducted by faith and cultural practitioners, often at the behest of family) aimed at changing an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity and expression. Conversion therapy can include psychological counselling, medical interventions, and aversion techniques, such as electrical shocks to the genitals during exposure to same-sex sexual imagery.
 

 

Dr-Jarred-H-Martin Author: Dr Jarred H. Martin
(PhD Psychology), Department of Psychology, University of Pretoria
Pierre-Brouard Author: Pierre Brouard
(MA Clinical Psychology), Centre for Sexualities, AIDS & Gender, University of Pretoria

 

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- Author Dr Jarred Martin, Dept of Psychology, UP & Mr Pierre Brouard, CSA&G, UP

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