Q&A with Ulrika Westerlund, Swedish Parliamentarian and human rights defender

In this interview Ulrika Westerlund shares her insights and efforts in promoting inclusivity, combating discrimination, and advocating for the health and rights of marginalised communities. Her work is driven by a commitment to ensuring that the voices of everyone are heard and respected at the governmental level.??

This interview was edited for clarity.?

What are you doing in Riksdagen to promote inclusivity and combat discrimination??

I was elected as a member of the Swedish parliament, Riksdagen, in the fall of 2022. This is my first political party position. Before this, I worked in the LGBTI movement and civil society organizations, focusing on LGBTI rights and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR). My experience in these areas has greatly informed my work in Riksdagen.?

In Riksdagen, I have contributed to setting up the LGBTI network, which includes representatives from almost all parties in parliament. This network organizes seminars and pushes jointly for reforms aimed at promoting inclusivity and combating discrimination. I am a member of the SRHR network and the human rights network, where I collaborate with others to advance these critical issues.?

My work in Riksdagen focuses heavily on disability rights, LGBTI rights, and the right to health in general. I write motions and engage in debates with ministers on these topics to drive policy changes and improvements. Specifically in the area of HIV, I have debated the removal of the requirement to inform sexual partners of one's positive HIV status and have organized seminars on World AIDS Day (WAD) for two consecutive years. Moreover, I have written a motion advocating for an updated HIV strategy in Sweden.?

Through these efforts, I strive to create a more inclusive and equitable society, ensuring that the rights and health of all individuals are protected and promoted.??

?

What are you finding is most key for ensuring that the voices of LGBTQ+ communities are heard at the governmental level??

The most crucial factor for ensuring that the voices of LGBTQ+ communities are heard at the governmental level is real inclusion.

This requires genuine efforts from the government to actively reach out to people and ensure that all relevant organizations are contacted and have the opportunity to participate in meetings and discussions.??

It is also essential to take the opinions of these organizations into account when rewriting laws. For example, allowing a referral round, where all concerned parties can provide written input on proposals, is vital. Allocating sufficient time for this process is necessary to ensure it works effectively in practice. This approach ensures that the perspectives and needs of the LGBTQ+ communities are genuinely considered in legislative processes.?

?

Why do you believe that investing in programs like UNAIDS is key to protecting everyone's human rights and everyone's health??

UNAIDS has worked extensively to ensure its programs reach the most vulnerable groups, which is essential for making sure HIV prevention efforts cover all relevant communities. The only effective way to achieve this is through collaboration with civil society organizations. The right to the best possible health is a fundamental human right, so the work of UNAIDS is integral to any human rights efforts. Consequently, investing in programs like UNAIDS is crucial for protecting both human rights and public health.?

Ulrika Westerlund is a Swedish politician affiliated with the Green Party and elected as Member of the Swedish Parliament in September 2022 where she represents the constituency of Stockholm Municipality. Ulrika has served as chairman of the Swedish Federation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex Rights. She has a master's degree in human rights.