Right to health and Hansen’s disease: the voice of girls and women affected by Hansen’s disease

Abstract

This report aims to systematize the results of the “First International Hansen’s disease Meeting and the right to health: what do girls and women have to say?”, organized by the Department of Women’s Policies, the Movement for the Reintegration of Persons Affected by Hansen’s Disease (Morhan) in Brazil, jointly with the mandate of Alice Cruz, UN Special Rapporteur for the elimination of discrimination against persons affected by Hansen’s disease and their families. Between October and December 2021, the meeting gathered 73 participants from 15 countries in from the Americas, Africa, and Asia. From an intersectional approach, the analysis of life stories and reflections on the experience with Hansen’s disease shared during the meeting facilitated the identification of issues, causes, and recommendations related to education, information, and communication; work and income; family and marriage; safety and peace; and health care. Thus, holding the meeting reinforced the importance of recognizing the expertise of women and girls affected by Hansen’s disease in assessing, planning, and implementing public policies.