Passport Inequality: The Politics of Transnational Convenings
Recently, a discussion on social media sparked a debate about what constitutes a "strong" versus a "weak" passport. The consensus was clear: Those from the Global West possess "strong passports," granting them easy access to many parts of the world, often visa-free or with minimal scrutiny. In contrast, "weak passports" are held by those from the Global South, who face hostile visa processes and limited travel options, often confined to their regions.
This disparity is particularly challenging for young people from the Global South. Visa applications demand proof of strong ties to their home countries—marriage, high-ranking jobs, substantial financial assets, and property ownership are often required. This raises an important question: How are young people expected to access transnational convenings under such restrictive conditions?
Our 2023 report, in collaboration with Purposeful and other feminist organisations, "The Politics of Transnational Convening Spaces," emphasises the importance of global convenings for young activists and communities. Transnational convenings offer young people a unique space to create solutions, learn from peers, contribute to policies, and engage meaningfully with other stakeholders working on interconnected issues. These spaces have traditionally reflected diversity, bringing together people from all demographics with shared interests, and are in danger of becoming monolithic if critical voices are excluded.
Though our report focused on principles of safety, solidarity, inclusion, and co-ownership while advocating for the creation of alternative political spaces within these gatherings, we did not delve deeply into the politics of visa injustice, which disproportionately impacts those from the Global South.
The visa experiences of young people from our organisation trying to participate in the International AIDS Conference (IAS) in Germany underscore this visa injustice. Some could not apply because the process required travelling to another state, incurring significant costs for flights, accommodations, and visa fees, all while knowing that the chances of visa rejections were high. Then there’s the burden of proving ties to one’s country and the legitimacy of travel, regardless of prior travel history.
Historically, global HIV conversations have been heavily medicalised, with human rights often taking a backseat. Even when care, treatment, and prevention are viewed through a humanised lens, the focus frequently returns to medical objectives. The 2024 International AIDS Conference, themed "Put People First," aimed to shift this focus, centring on those living with, affected by, and working on HIV, with community at its heart. The irony of hosting this conference in Germany—a European country with notoriously difficult visa processes, especially for those from the Global South—raises serious questions about our ability to translate theory into practice.
The IAS team made commendable efforts, frequently updating the public on their negotiations with embassies to ease visa processing, particularly for scholarship recipients. But where does that leave activists from organisations and institutions who also need to attend such global conferences? The visa process for Germany was especially gruelling for young people from our region, with obstacles ranging from accessing the application process to outright visa rejections.
For a convening to truly "Put People First," it must acknowledge that many of its key stakeholders come from countries where visa denials are common. Too many were left behind this year, raising the need for accountability in how inclusive our spaces really are, especially when they seem systematically designed to exclude certain people more than others.
Institutions like the IAS, focusing on human-centred solutions, must adopt a feminist lens in creating these spaces. At the heart of this approach is ensuring access for those most marginalised, most likely to be excluded, and historically denied entry into such spaces. That is the true essence of "Putting People First."
Ensuring that stakeholders from the Global South are present in these spaces is crucial for decision-making processes, strategies for meaningful change, and advancing efforts to eradicate HIV/AIDS. While we look forward to a more accessible conference in Rwanda next year, it’s important to hold ourselves accountable for this year's shortcomings and strive for better inclusivity in the future.
About the Author
Marline Oluchi is a queer feminist activist working on thematic areas of LGBTQI+ rights and gender justice, especially from the lens of young people, for meaningful youth engagement. As CHEVS's Policy and Advocacy Lead, she contributes to work that shifts power, enabling political/institutional reforms across West Africa.