In Kenya, a range of human rights abuses fuels HIV infection among the country’s most socially disadvantaged populations. Abuses such as domestic violence, rape, early marriage, child sexual abuse, and trafficking into sexual exploitation help drive the epidemic among women and girls, and are indicators of the epidemic’s impact on communities and livelihood security. While litigation and legal services can go a long way toward addressing these issues, the vast majority of Kenyans living with HIV and AIDS do not feel able to access the formal legal system, according to Ensuring Justice for Vulnerable Communities in Kenya, a report published by the Open Society Institute Law & Health Initiative and East Africa Initiative.

Based on interviews with representatives of nongovernmental organizations, health providers, people living with HIV/AIDS, legal advocates, government officials, and international donors in Kenya, the report assesses the status of HIV-related legal services in the country. Ensuring Justice for Vulnerable Communities in Kenya aims to identify opportunities for establishing programs to ensure access to justice through community-based legal services for those living with, affected by, and at risk of HIV and AIDS.