Abstract: Submission #203

Biosketch ABSTRACT TITLE: ADVOCATING FOR AND REDUCING VULNERABILITIES OF LGBTQI+ COMMUNITY IN RENDERING SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES
Introduction
Department of social development is mandated to provide social services in all communities in a non-discriminatory manner irrespective of race, gender and sexual orientation. This work is a desktop analysis done in respect of the clients receiving services from the department in past two years.
The findings revealed that there is limited number of LGTQI+ community who come forward and access social services. Awareness campaigns are conducted but are not specific to the LGTQI+ community. Work-related forms are not open to the group in question as gender is limited to male and female.
Challenges experienced by the group are analyzed under the gender as male/female. It is difficult to respond to challenges as standalone and related to sexual orientation as there is stigma attached to it. Attitudes of service providers due to social, cultural and religious beliefs are also in question.

Recommendation
 Identifying information requiring gender should accommodate the concerned population to respond to their social issues appropriately
 To expose service providers to workshops to address attitudes and change mindset
 Strengthen awareness campaigns about LGTQI+ community in communities to reduce stigma, violence and crimes attached to it
 Establishing support groups targeting families of the concerned community to understand, accept and be a support system for their members
Compiled by Bongekile Xulu