This archive report was first published on 12 November 2019.
The 25th International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) has begun in Nairobi, Kenya, marking a significant milestone 25 years after the landmark conference in Cairo in 1994.
However, the event has not been without controversy, with the Nairobi County Women Forum expressing its reservations and condemning what it terms as the promotion of acts of gayism and lesbianism.
Addressing the press on Tuesday, the group's leaders, Margaret Ndegwa and Cicil Wanjiru, claimed that the convention is being used to secretly perpetuate the agenda of the LGBT community, which they believe borders on moral decay.
On the other hand, human rights crusaders attending the conference are pushing for a review of constitutional clauses that allegedly discriminate against sections of the population, particularly in regards to access to reproductive health services.
These crusaders, led by Liberian Vice President Dr. Jewel Taylor, vowed to exert pressure on Members of Parliament to pass laws that favor both genders and remove clauses in constitutions that they claim discriminate when it comes to access to reproductive health.
President Uhuru Kenyatta avoided the subject that has stirred controversy in the country in the past few months during his opening remarks on Tuesday.
Principal Secretary for Kenya's Department of Planning, Saitoti Torome, had assured faith leaders on Monday that abortion and LGBTI rights would not be discussed at the summit.
