2015 — Trans* Research, Education, Advocacy & Training (TREAT) Founded, Zimbabwe
Founded in 2015 by Rikki Nathanson, Trans* Research, Education, Advocacy & Training (TREAT) was the first trans-led, and gender-diverse focused organisation in Zimbabwe. TREAT’s mission is to inform and transform attitudes and address injustice and inequalities faced by the trans diverse population in Zimbabwe. After being arrested under charges such as criminal nuisance for using the “wrong” bathrooms in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, Bulawayo, Rikki Nathanson realised the huge gap in the general public’s ignorance and miseducation about gender, transgender and gender diverse people. Rikki relocated to the US, claiming asylum. Sam Ndlovu has been the Executive Director of TREAT since 2019.
Vision
TREAT is an initiative that seeks to address the rights issues in the education, advocacy and training about and to, the basic violations of the human rights of the trans* diverse and gender non-conforming population of Zimbabwe. It envisions a Zimbabwe where everyone is free to express their gender within, across and beyond the male-female binary without fear of discrimination, stigma or victimisation.
Mission
To inform and transform attitudes and address injustice and inequalities faced by Trans diverse population in Zimbabwe.
Focus Areas
- Health: including the Sexual Reproductive health rights (SRHR), Hormone Replacement therapy (HRT) and psycho social support.
- Justice: the protection by the law around issues such as abuse and violence in all forms.
- Socio-economic: including among other things, discrimination faced in schools, workplaces, medical and other facilities, families and the general population at large.
Contact
Website
Email: treatorg22@gmail.com
Facebook
Watch our Interview with Rikki Nathanson
We interviewed Rikki on the 11th of April 2025 about her life and activism.
