Promoting gender health and equality in prison settings at the 32rd session of the UN Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice

22-26 May 2023, Vienna – Prisons have traditionally been built for men and designed to cater to their needs. Women and transgender people are a growing prison population with unique and complex healthcare needs that are often neglected. Their situation is exacerbated by stigma, discrimination, gender-based violence and inequality in accessing prison services.

During this years’ CCPCJ, UNODC HIV/AIDS Section organized a side event entitled “Gender and Imprisonment: Experience and Recommendations in Addressing Health Needs” with support from Penal Reform International, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the International Drug Policy Consortium, Thailand Department of Corrections, and 22 Permanent Missions to the United Nations in Vienna

The side event brought together member states, intergovernmental organisations, and civil society to consider efforts in addressing the healthcare needs of and challenges faced by women and transgender people in prison.

Jean-Luc Lemahieu, Director, Division for Policy Analysis and Public Affairs, UNODC, opened the event, highlighting the urgent need for action regarding healthcare for women (and their children) and transgender people in prison

Zaved Mahmood from OHCHR described the impact of over-incarceration on women's health in closed settings. Drawing from their extensive national experience, Vitchavud Suppipat, Director of the Foreign Affairs Sub Division, Thailand Department of Corrections, shared recommendations and experiences in addressing gender-responsive health needs in prison. Rosma Karlina from Womxn's Voice, a community-based collective founded in Indonesia in early 2020, related the gender-based barriers that hinder access to essential health services in prison.

Lived experience of abuse in detention was shared by Tebogo Mokobori, LGBTIQ rights activist and member of Just Detention International-South Africa’s (JDI-SA) Survivor Council. Doreen Gaura from JDI-SA presented the organization’s impactful work in addressing gender-based violence in detention.

The event was moderated by Triona Lenihan from PRI, and was attended by around 100 participants.

Further reading:

Technical Guide on Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV in Prisons

Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV in Prison: Monitoring Tool for Epidemiological Trends and Related Services

Technical Brief on Transgender People and HIV in Prisons and other Closed Settings

United Nations

Office on Drugs and Crime

Promoting gender health and equality in prison settings at the 32rd session of the UN Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice