Pema is a human rights organization that works on advocating for Gender and Sexual Minorities in Kenya. Pema Kenya promotes inclusivity of Gender and Sexual Minorities (GSM) through advocacy and capacity building with a vision of a society that embraces justice and diversity. They deploy the use of biometrics and health data, community-led monitoring; Conduct health outreaches; sensitization of sub-county health facilities through various approaches like Utu barazas with the health service providers and mental health interventions on GSMs. 

The primary challenges Pema and other groups advocating for GSM face is government’s policy and the social-cultural pressure. The current laws for instance,  Penal Code 162, 165 is conveniently interpreted to discriminate GSMs. And there is a potential of a far more restrictive laws in the form of the draft Family Protection Bill which presents an existential challenge for Pema-Kenya and its work

Despite the challenging legal and social reality, Pema continues to deliver on critical areas. 

“Pema spearheaded county-level advocacy initiatives in Mombasa County by establishing a cohort of moderators comprised of key stakeholders (police officers, health workers, local administrators, and religious leaders) who work together in one space at the institution of service delivery to create safe space within the institutions for GSM community to access services. “

Pema play a critical role in a restricted and increasingly hostile environment where the state restricts civic space through legal, policy and administrative tools, and society through cultural means.