Journal of Reproductive Health, Gender, and HIV in Africa | 06 February 2001
A Research Protocol to Analyse the Impact of Police Sensitisation Training on Access to Justice and Healthcare for Transgender Women in Urban Kenya
K, i, m, b, e, r, l, e, y, W, h, e, e, l, e, r, ,, B, r, e, n, d, a, C, a, r, r, o, l, l, ,, W, a, n, j, i, k, u, M, w, a, n, g, i
Abstract
Transgender women in Kenya face substantial barriers to justice and healthcare, frequently due to discrimination and violence from law enforcement. This marginalisation worsens health disparities, particularly in HIV and gender-affirming care. Police sensitisation training is a proposed intervention, but its specific effect on transgender women’s access to services is under-researched in Kenya. This protocol describes a study to analyse the impact of a police sensitisation training programme on access to justice and healthcare for transgender women in urban Kenya. Its primary objectives are to assess changes in transgender women’s reported experiences with police, to measure changes in their healthcare-seeking behaviours, and to evaluate the training’s effect on police officers’ knowledge and attitudes. A mixed-methods, longitudinal design will be used. Pre- and post-training surveys and focus group discussions will be conducted with a cohort of transgender women in Nairobi and Mombasa. In-depth interviews and pre-post knowledge assessments will be carried out with participating police officers. Quantitative data will analyse changes in key indicators, while thematic analysis will be applied to qualitative data. As this is a research protocol, no empirical findings are available. Anticipated findings include qualitative themes on perceived safety and procedural justice, and quantitative measures such as the proportion of transgender women reporting improved police interactions or reduced avoidance of healthcare after the intervention. The study is expected to generate evidence on the effectiveness of police sensitisation training for improving access to justice and healthcare for a highly marginalised group. This will inform policy and programme development in Kenya and similar contexts. Based on the outcomes, recommendations will be developed for the Kenyan National Police Service and Ministry of Health regarding integrating sensitisation training. Further recommendations will target non-governmental organisations on supporting transgender women’s access to services. transgender persons, Kenya, police, in-service training, healthcare disparities, access to justice, HIV, gender-affirming care This protocol contributes a structured framework to evaluate a specific intervention aimed at reducing structural stigma. It addresses a critical evidence gap regarding the role of state actors in facilitating or hindering transgender women’s access to essential services in an African setting.