Créée à Maurice en 2020 par Caroline Fitz-Gibbon, Anjeelee Kaur Beegun, Didier Marcel, Valérie Uppiah, Patricia Madar Saib, Elodie Navette, Emmanuel Calisse, Bhavish Chamroo et Gael Henriette-Bolli, RekonekT œuvre principalement auprès des personnes transgenres et non binaires (TGNC), avec une attention particulière portée aux jeunes TGNC. Son action s’étend également aux communautés marginalisées au sens large, aux défenseurs des droits humains et aux professionnels ou institutions qui souhaitent créer des environnements plus sûrs et inclusifs. RekonekT axe ses actions sur le soutien communautaire, l’accompagnement psychosocial, la gestion de crise, la sécurité communautaire, la recherche participative, le renforcement des capacités et la création d’espaces inclusifs et valorisants pour les personnes TGNC et les autres communautés marginalisées de Maurice. En bref, l’organisation a pour vocation première le soin et l’accompagnement. RekonekT a été enregistrée en octobre 2021.

Founded in Mauritius in 2020 by Caroline Fitz-Gibbon, Anjeelee Kaur Beegun, Didier Marcel, Valérie Uppiah, Patricia Madar Saib, Elodie Navette, Emmanuel Calisse, Bhavish Chamroo and Gael Henriette-Bolli, RekonekT primarily works with trans and gender non-conforming (TGNC) persons, with a particular focus on young TGNC individuals. Their work also extends to broader marginalised communities, Human Rights Defenders (HRDs), and professionals or institutions seeking to build safer and more inclusive environments. RekonekT focuses on community support, psychosocial accompaniment, crisis response, community safety, participatory research, capacity strengthening, and the creation of inclusive and affirming spaces for TGNC persons and other marginalised communities in Mauritius. In short, the organisation’s main focus is care. RekonekT was registered in October 2021.

La vision / Vision

Contribuer à l’avènement d’une société où les personnes transgenres et de genre divers puissent vivre dans la dignité, la sécurité, l’autonomie et le plein accès à leurs droits, tout en étant reconnues comme des participants à part entière à la vie sociale, culturelle, économique et politique.

To contribute toward a society where transgender and gender diverse persons can live with dignity, safety, autonomy and full access to their rights, while being recognised as full participants in social, cultural, economic and political life.

Mission

Soutenir et renforcer les communautés TGNC à Maurice grâce à des systèmes de soutien communautaires, un accompagnement psychosocial, des approches participatives, l’éducation et des méthodologies décoloniales centrées sur les expériences vécues et l’autonomisation collective.

To support and strengthen TGNC communities in Mauritius through community-based support systems, psychosocial accompaniment, participatory approaches, education and decolonial methodologies that centre lived experiences and collective empowerment.

Objectifs / Objectives

• Renforcer les systèmes de soutien psychosocial et communautaire pour les personnes transgenres et non binaires ;
• Promouvoir des espaces plus sûrs et inclusifs pour les communautés marginalisées ;
• Soutenir la résistance et l’autonomisation des communautés ;
• Contribuer à la sensibilisation sociale et à l’éducation civique ;
• Documenter les réalités vécues par le biais de recherches participatives ;
• Favoriser l’accès aux droits, aux services et aux opportunités ;
• Contribuer à la construction de mouvements ;
• Renforcer les capacités des professionnels, des institutions et des acteurs communautaires.

• Strengthening psychosocial and community support systems for TGNC persons;
• Promoting safer and affirming spaces for marginalised communities;
• Supporting community resistance and empowerment;
• Contributing to social awareness and civic education;
• Documenting lived realities through participatory research;
• Supporting access to rights, services and opportunities;
• Contributing to movement building;
• Building capacities among professionals, institutions and community actors.

Domaines d’intervention / Focus Areas

Les travaux de RekonekT comprennent :

• Accompagnement psychosocial et soutien communautaire ;
• Intervention en cas de crise et soutien d’urgence aux défenseurs des droits humains ;
• Dialogues communautaires et groupes de soutien ;
• Recherche participative sur les réalités des personnes transgenres et non binaires à Maurice et à Rodrigues ;
• Ateliers de renforcement des capacités et de sensibilisation ;
• Éducation civique et pratiques anti-oppressives ;
• Initiatives de sécurité communautaire ;
• Initiatives d’autonomisation économique et de développement communautaire (actuellement en cours d’élaboration/de recherche de financement).

Ils mettent également en œuvre la première phase de notre initiative « Pratiques anti-oppressives pour la prise en charge des communautés marginalisées », qui a débuté par des ateliers axés sur le consentement et les pratiques de prise en charge communautaire.

RekonekT’s work includes:

• Psychosocial accompaniment and community support;
• Crisis response and emergency support for HRDs;
• Community dialogues and support groups;
• Participatory research on TGNC realities in Mauritius and Rodrigues;
• Capacity building and sensitisation workshops;
• Civic education and anti-oppressive practices;
• Community safety initiatives;
• Economic empowerment and community development initiatives (currently under development/funding stages).

They are also currently implementing the first phase of our “Anti-Oppressive Practice for Care with Marginalised Communities” initiative, which began with workshops centred around consent and community care practices.

Contact

directors@rekonekt.org; contact@rekonekt.org
+230 5944 2028
Facebook

Founded by Lee Fourie, Menzi Mbambo, Vuyo Ngcofe and Quinn Wiese in South Africa in March 2026, Trans Siblings Connect is a peer support group that works with trans and gender diverse individuals, with a focus on transmasculine people (Trans Brothers Connect), and transfeminine people (Trans Sisters Connect).

Vision

A connected, empowered, and inclusive community in which trans and gender-diverse siblings feel supported, affirmed, valued, and able to thrive.

Mission

Trans Siblings Connect aims to create safe, affirming, and inclusive spaces where trans and gender-diverse (TGD) people can connect, share experiences, access support and information, build meaningful relationships, and strengthen community.

Goals/Objectives

• To foster community and connection among TGD individuals through regular social and support-based gatherings.
• To provide safe, inclusive, and affirming spaces where individuals can share experiences, challenges, and achievements without fear of judgement.
• To promote peer support and mutual encouragement by creating opportunities for community members to learn from and support one another.
• To provide accessible and relevant information and resources relating to TGD experiences, health, wellbeing, and gender affirmation.
• To promote empowerment and personal growth by facilitating discussions, activities and opportunities that support members’ wellbeing and development.
• To reduce isolation and strengthen a sense of belonging within the transgender and gender-diverse community.
• To encourage collaboration and connection with other organisations, professionals and community resources that support TGD individuals.
• To celebrate the diversity, resilience and achievements of TGD people.

Focus areas

• Peer Support and Community Building: Creating safe and affirming spaces where TGD individuals can connect, share experiences, build supportive relationships, and develop a sense of belonging.
• Mental Health and Wellbeing: Facilitating discussions and activities relating to emotional wellbeing, self-acceptance, resilience, relationships, dysphoria, and other issues affecting TGD individuals.
• Gender-Affirming Healthcare: Providing and sharing accessible information relating to gender-affirming healthcare, including hormone therapy, surgery, healthcare providers, medical aid and navigating healthcare systems.
• Information and Resource Sharing: Improving access to practical, accurate and community-relevant information and resources that support TGD individuals throughout different stages of their journeys.
• Community Education and Empowerment: Creating opportunities for TGD individuals to learn, share knowledge, develop confidence, and make informed decisions about their lives and gender affirmation.
• Social Connection and Inclusion: Organising social gatherings and community activities that reduce isolation and provide opportunities for TGD people to connect in affirming and inclusive environments.

Current and developing initiatives include regular peer-support and community gatherings, discussions on topics relevant to transgender and gender-diverse wellbeing and experiences, and the development of accessible resources relating to gender-affirming healthcare and services in South Africa, including the South African Gender-Affirming Healthcare Guide and Directory.

Contact

https://transsiblingsconnect.org/
Email: info@transsiblingsconnect.org
WhatsApp: +27 60 471 0259
Facebook
Instagram

Founded on 20 December 2024 by Frank Fabian Kagimu, Noah Venter and Rethabile Lebakeng, Haven of Pride Africa came about as a response to the growing crisis faced by LGBTQI+ displaced persons, particularly trans asylum seekers and refugees from Uganda and the broader East African region who flee their home countries due to persecution, seeking safety in South Africa, only to face new challenges in their pursuit of protection, dignity, and self-reliance. Recognising this urgent need, Haven of Pride was established to provide critical support, advocacy, and empowerment for LGBTQI+ asylum seekers and refugees.

Vision

A world where transgender refugees and queer displaced persons live freely and safely, with access to essential resources, acceptance and equality supported by a trusted community.

Mission

To provide safety, dignity, and empowerment for displaced transgender individuals by fostering inclusive support for their health and rights amidst persecution.

Goals

• To provide safe shelter and support.
• To promote well-being and self-sufficiency.

Contact

Email: havenofpride@gmail.com
Facebook

Fondée le 3 décembre 2024, Santé Lisungi/ASBL est une association de défense des droits LGBTQIA+ en République démocratique du Congo (RDC), dont la priorité est la défense des personnes trans et intersexuées. L’objectif de leur travail est de faciliter l’accès inclusif aux soins de santé pour les personnes trans et intersexuées, ainsi que pour les autres minorités sexuelles et de genre. L’association n’est pas encore enregistrée.

Founded on 3 December 2024, Santé Lisungi/ASBL is an LGBTQIA+ advocacy organisation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), with trans and intersex advocacy as their main priority. The focus of their work is to facilitate inclusive access to healthcare for trans and intersex people, as well as other sexual and gender minorities. The organisation has not been registered yet.

La Vision / Vision

Devenir une référence en matière de soins de santé sûrs, inclusifs et équitables pour les minorités sexuelles et de genre en République démocratique du Congo.

To become a benchmark in safe, inclusive, and equitable healthcare for sexual and gender minorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

La Mission / Mission

Contribuer à améliorer la qualité de vie des minorités sexuelles et de genre en favorisant un accès inclusif aux soins de santé.

To contribute to improving the quality of life of sexual and gender minorities by promoting inclusive access to healthcare.

Objectifs de l’organisation / Organisational Objectives

L’association poursuit notamment les objectifs ci-dessous :

• Promouvoir la santé et le bien être, l’inclusion et l’accès facile à une prise en charge médicale holistique de qualité dans un environnement inclusif et sécurisé ;
• Sensibiliser les minorités sexuelles et de genre sur la santé sexuelle et reproductive en leur donnant des bonnes informations relatives aux différentes pathologies qui touchent à leur sexualité pour un accès équitable aux soins;
• Renforcer les compétences des professionnels de santé de la structure et des alliés sur les notions de genre et prise en charge thérapeutique juste, équitable et inclusive pour mettre fin à la discrimination, stigmatisation, marginalisation, et toutes autres formes de violences basées sur l’orientation sexuelle, identité de genre, expression de genre, couleur de peau, handicap physique, état serologique, taille, age, maladie chronique dans le milieu hospitalier ;
• Aider la cible à accéder à la santé positive et universelle ;
• Développer le partenariat entre les acteurs nationaux et internationaux en vue de briser certains préjugés sociaux dans le milieu sanitaire liés à l’état sérologique, à l’orientation sexuelle, à l’identité du genre, à l’handicap physique, à la couleur de peau, à la taille, à l’âge, à la maladie chronique;
• Conscientiser les décideurs politiques sur l’importance d’avoir une approche de santé inclusive qui prend en compte les minorités sexuelles et de genre, ainsi que d’autres personnes issues de groupes minoritaires dans les différents programmes du développement de pays et plaider en faveur des actions concrètes ;
• Œuvrer en faveur d’une participation quantitative et qualitative aux manifestations et forums internationaux promouvant l’inclusion et la diversité, le genre et l’égalité des chances pour tous ; et, a long terme,
  • construire des hôpitaux propres à la structure dans toutes les provinces de la RD Congo en général et en particulier à Kinshasa au service de nos cibles;
  • assurer le suivi des malades, permettant la continuité de la prise en charge;
  • contribuer dans la réduction des violences sexuelles et basées sur le genre ainsi que de leurs conséquences.

The association’s objectives include:

• Promoting health and well-being, inclusion, and easy access to quality holistic medical care in an inclusive and safe environment;
• Raising awareness among sexual and gender minorities about sexual and reproductive health by providing them with accurate information on the various pathologies that affect their sexuality, ensuring equitable access to care;
• Strengthen the skills of the organisation’s healthcare professionals and allies on the concepts of gender and fair, equitable, and inclusive therapeutic care to end discrimination, stigmatisation, marginalisation, and all other forms of violence based on sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, skin colour, physical disability, HIV status, height, age, and chronic illness in the hospital setting;
• Help the target population access positive and universal healthcare;
• Develop partnerships between national and international stakeholders to break down certain social prejudices in the healthcare setting related to HIV status, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical disability, skin colour, height, age, and chronic illness;
• Raise awareness among policymakers about the importance of an inclusive health approach that takes into account sexual and gender minorities, as well as other people from minority groups, in various country development programmes and advocate for concrete actions;
• Work towards quantitative and qualitative participation in international events and forums promoting inclusion and diversity, gender, and equal opportunities for all; and, in the long term
  • build hospitals of this structure in all provinces of the DRC in general, and in Kinshasa in particular, to serve our targets;
  • ensure patient follow-up, enabling continuity of care;
  • contribute to reducing sexual and gender-based violence and its consequences.

Des domaines d’intervention / Areas of Work

• Santé
• Droits humains
• Plaidoyer
• Autonomisation
• Immigration, réfugié et demande d’Asile.

• Health
• Human Rights
• Advocacy
• Empowerment
• Immigration, Refugees, and Asylum.

Contactez / Contact

Email: santelisungi.asbl@gmail.com
+243895555561
Facebook

Founded on 12 September 2024 in Malawi by Shammah Solomon, Helping Educating Regarding Orientation (HERO) is a registered, community-based human rights advocacy organisation focusing on intersex persons, sexuality and orientation.

The context in Malawi for intersex people

According to HERO,

“Although sexual orientation and gender identity are integral to a person’s dignity, in Malawi there still exists much discrimination and abuse based on the sexual orientation and gender presentation of intersex people across the country. Several cases are reported every year that show that intersex people are physically assaulted, kidnapped, raped and even murdered. Along with the abuse and physical assault, intersex people in the country also face discrimination in their homes, workplaces, schools and colleges, housing and healthcare.Intersex children and adolescents often face bullying in school, do not always receive parental support at home and may even be thrown out of their homes by their parents. Some of the reasons that result in hatred towards intersex people include:

• Lack of understanding of intersex issues
• Religious practices
• Traditional beliefs
• Political beliefs

Some of the challenges that intersex people face include:

• Having had prior surgery without their consent
• Feelings of distrust
• Ongoing side effects
• Gendered treatment
• Increased cancer risk
• Gendered and discriminatory terms used
• Taking hormones

Intersex people often experience prejudice and discrimination because their bodies do not conform to other people’s expectations about sex and gender.”

Vision

A Malawi where all people regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression feel seen, safe, valued, included, celebrated, equal and proud, and they can freely exercise their rights and enjoy the highest standard of health and well-being.

Mission

Raise awareness of intersex people’s existence by drawing attention to gender role construction and gender inequity and confronting interconnected “isms” (such as racism, sexism, heterosexism, etc.) To provide a safe and a supportive space for intersex people, empowering our diverse communities to realise their full potential everyday. Our services and activities are a lifetime for those in need.

Values

• Passion – creating peaceful and inclusive spaces for intersex people and communities
• Respect – celebrating what makes us unique and establish trust through inclusivity and
• recognition
• Empowerment – creating a space in which to grow and thrive
• Integrity – holding ourselves accountable to the highest standards, doing what is right for the community

Objectives

• To build and strengthen partnerships and alliances, understanding, solidarity and bridges between those working on human rights and intersex rights in particular, in Malawi and across the globe
• To defend intersex people in Malawi and support their families and communities against all forms of discrimination, exclusion, violence and hate crimes
• To promote intersex people’s sense of security and social cohesion
• To address and respond to the economic struggles, unemployment and other class-based challenges of intersex people
• To enhance collaboration and partnerships between CSOs, fellow human rights organisations and the Government of Malawi
• To take on systems and practices which criminalise or seek to reinforce the criminalisation of intersex people, human rights organisations, knowledge creation, sexual and cultural self-expression(s), and organising for change.

Focus areas / Projects

• Raising awareness about violence, discrimination and stigma towards intersex people
• Advancing and upholding human rights-compliant laws
• Supporting economic, cultural and societal inclusion of intersex people in Malawi
• Supporting intersex people who face unique challenges during crises, conflicts and acute threats to their life
• Strengthening national capability: contributing to having stronger, more resilient, inclusive and sustainable organisations with the technical and legal knowledge and skills
• To make progress on intersex equality and inclusion, to increase their reach, effectiveness, and impact
• Providing technical and legal support for human rights defenders, parliamentarians and government officials for the reform of laws and policies that discriminate against intersex people in Malawi
• Increasing awareness and understanding of intersex rights among duty bearers, diplomats, the media, development and humanitarian workers, religious organisations, the business sector, government, cultural traditional leadership, and amongst parents and families of intersex people in Malawi
• Organising workshops for intersex youth and adults in different regions
• Advocacy, influencing parliamentarians, CSOs and supporting donors, multilaterals and national government to commit to intersex rights through sharing and collating evidence and data to build more coherent approaches to intersex rights, build political will nationally and at regional levels to prioritise intersex rights and scope;
• Supporting influential thought leaders including faith leaders to advocate for local and global reform
• Learning, evidence and advice on understanding the real ‘live’ situation in varied contexts, sharing information on the practical and most effective approaches that work to improve the lives of intersex individuals in Malawi.

Contact

Email: heroitfhero@gmail.com
WhatsApp: +265 888 618 885
Facebook

Founded on 26 July 2024 by Boomer Mateus, Luis Mário Seteco and Jéssica Sanga, Direitos Humanos Intersexual Angola (DHIA) works to make a meaningful difference in the lives of intersex people and their families in Angola. Direitos Humanos Intersexual translates to “Intersexual Human Rights” from Portuguese. Boomer is the current Executive Director and active members are Miriam Benilde, Elisandro Jorge, Vero Nicolau and Nelma da Cunha.

Vision

To create a world where all intersex people are valued, respected and celebrated for their diversity.

Mission

To promote awareness, acceptance and respect for intersex people by challenging stereotypes and combating discrimination.

Goal

To contribute to building a society where intersex bodies are not stigmatised and where their rights as individuals are respected, protected and upheld.

More about the reason for founding DHIA, by co-founder, Boomer Mateus

“As an intersex person and the founder of the first human rights organization for intersex people in Angola, my connection to this organization is deeply rooted in my personal life journey. Every step I take along this path is driven by lived experiences of struggle, resilience, and hope for a brighter future for all intersex individuals. This organization is not just a project; it is an extension of my dreams and the dreams of so many voices that have been silenced for far too long. It is a space where our stories find strength, where we transform pain into action, and where we build, together, a fairer and more inclusive world. Being part of this is the fulfillment of a greater purpose that guides me every single day.”

Projects

Contact

Website
+244954518143
Email: dhiangolano@gmail.com
Facebook

Watch our interview with Boomer Mateus

We interviewed Boomer on the 21st of March 2025 with a Portuguese:English translator about his life and activism.

Fondée à Maurice en 2024 par Hana Telvave et d’autres personnes, EkiT œuvre principalement auprès des personnes transgenres et non binaires (TGNC) à Maurice, tout en collaborant avec la communauté LGBTQIA+ au sens large et ses alliés pour promouvoir l’inclusion et l’égalité. EkiT est une organisation dirigée par des personnes trans qui s’efforce de renforcer les droits, le leadership, la santé et la visibilité des personnes transgenres et non binaires à Maurice. Son action comprend le développement du leadership, le plaidoyer politique, la mobilisation communautaire, la sensibilisation du public, les initiatives de soins d’affirmation de genre, la communication stratégique et l’engagement institutionnel pour promouvoir l’égalité et la dignité. L’organisation a été enregistrée en 2026.

Founded in Mauritius in 2024 by Hana Telvave and others, EkiT primarily works with transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) people in Mauritius while collaborating with the broader LGBTQIA+ community and allies to advance inclusion and equality. EkiT is a trans-led organisation working to strengthen the rights, leadership, health, and visibility of transgender and gender non-conforming people in Mauritius. Their work includes leadership development, policy advocacy, community mobilisation, public education, gender-affirming care initiatives, strategic communications, and institutional engagement to advance equality and dignity. The organisation was registered in 2026.

La vision / Vision

La vision à long terme d’EkiT est de contribuer à la création d’un écosystème durable de bienveillance, de transmission du savoir, de dignité et de protection communautaire – un modèle de « village » ancré dans la solidarité, la sécurité, le bien-être collectif et l’entraide. À travers cette vision, EkiT aspire à un monde où les personnes transgenres et de genre divers, ainsi que d’autres communautés marginalisées, vivent dans la dignité, la sécurité, la visibilité, l’égalité et un accès réel aux soins, au leadership et aux opportunités. L’organisation souhaite également réaffirmer et honorer les rôles précoloniaux que de nombreuses personnes de genre divers ont historiquement tenus en tant que conteurs, protecteurs, guérisseurs, gardiens de la culture et guides spirituels au sein de leurs communautés.

The long-term vision of EkiT is to contribute to the creation of a sustainable ecosystem of care, storytelling, dignity, and community protection a “village” model rooted in solidarity, safety, collective wellbeing, and mutual care. Through this vision, EkiT seeks to contribute to a world where transgender and gender-diverse people, alongside other marginalised communities, live with dignity, safety, visibility, equality, and meaningful access to care, leadership, and opportunity. The organisation also aspires to reclaim and honour the pre-colonial roles that many gender-diverse people historically held as storytellers, protectors, healers, cultural custodians, and spiritual bridges within their communities.

Mission

Construire des systèmes de soins, de plaidoyer, de récits et de changement institutionnel pilotés par la communauté qui renforcent le bien-être, la visibilité, l’autonomie et la protection des personnes transgenres et des communautés marginalisées à Maurice.

To build community-led systems of care, advocacy, storytelling, and institutional change that strengthen the well-being, visibility, autonomy, and protection of transgender and marginalised communities in Mauritius.

Objectifs / Objectives

• Renforcer le leadership transgenre et la pérennité organisationnelle
• Améliorer l’accès à des soins de santé inclusifs et respectueux de l’identité de genre
• Développer un plaidoyer stratégique et un engagement politique
• Changer les discours publics néfastes par le biais de la communication et des médias
• Créer des systèmes de soutien et de solidarité communautaires plus sûrs
• Élaborer des structures de financement durables à long terme

• Strengthen trans-led leadership and organisational sustainability
• Improve access to inclusive and gender-affirming healthcare
• Build strategic advocacy and policy engagement
• Shift harmful public narratives through communications and media
• Create safer systems of community support and solidarity
• Develop long-term sustainable funding structures

Domaines d’intervention / Focus areas

Le travail d’EkiT est axé sur le développement du leadership des personnes transgenres et non conformes au genre, l’accès aux soins de santé affirmant le genre, le plaidoyer politique et juridique, la mobilisation communautaire, les campagnes de communication et de visibilité, la sensibilisation institutionnelle et le renforcement de la résilience communautaire.

EkiT’s work focuses on transgender and gender non-conforming leadership development, access to gender-affirming healthcare, policy and legal advocacy, community mobilisation, communications and visibility campaigns, institutional sensitisation, and strengthening community resilience.

Campagnes vidéo / Video campaigns

Contacter / Contact

ekitmauritius@gmail.com
Facebook
Instagram
TikTok

Regardez notre entretien avec Hana Telvave, le 10 juillet 2026 / Watch our interview with Hana Telvave, 10 July 2026

Fondée en mars 2024 par Crespille Pige, Crépine Tossou, Joyce D’Almeida and Sephora Zouzou, Inclusion Togo s’adresse aux hommes transgenres, aux femmes transgenres, aux personnes queer et intersexuées. La principale mission de l’organisation est d’assurer le bien-être des personnes trans, queer et intersexes dans un environnement sûr.

Founded in March 2024 by Crespille Pige, Crépine Tossou, Joyce D’Almeida and Sephora Zouzou, Inclusion Togo caters to trans men and trans women, queer and intersex people. The main work of the organisation is to ensure the well-being of trans, queer and intersex people in a safe environment.

La vision / Vision

Un Togo inclusif et équitable ou toutes les personnes transgenres, queer et intersexe en particulier les plus vulnérables (travailleuses de sexe, personnes vivant avec le VIH, sans abri) vivent dans la dignité, jouissent de leurs droits fondamentaux et participant pleinement au développement social, économique et culturel.

An inclusive and equitable Togo where all transgender, queer and intersex people, especially the most vulnerable (sex workers, people living with HIV, the homeless), live in dignity, enjoy their fundamental rights and participate fully in social, economic and cultural development.

Mission

Œuvrer pour l’inclusion, la protection et l’autonomisation des personnes transgenres, queer et intersexe vulnérables au Togo, à travers des actions communautaires et des plaidoyers.

To work towards the inclusion, protection and empowerment of vulnerable transgender, queer and intersex people in Togo, through community actions and advocacy.

Objectifs / Objectives

Renforcer la prévention, la prise en charge du VIH chez les personnes trans, queer et intersexe, en promouvant l’autonomisation financière chez les plus vulnérables.

Strengthening HIV prevention and care for trans, queer, and intersex people, while promoting financial empowerment among the most vulnerable.

Domaines de travail / Areas of work

• Renforcement des de la prévention et prise en charge chez les personnes trans, queer et intersexe dans un contexte ou la prévalence du VIH chez les personnes transgenres est de 35%.
• Renforcement de l’autonomisation financière des personnes trans, queer et intersexe.
• Renforcement de l’estime de soi des personnes trans, queer et intersexe.

• Strengthening prevention and care for trans, queer, and intersex people in a context where the HIV prevalence among transgender people is 35%.
• Strengthening the financial empowerment of trans, queer, and intersex people.
• Strengthening the self-esteem of trans, queer, and intersex people.

Contacter / Contact

Email: inclusiontogo68@gmail.com
00228 90830769
Facebook

Créée en 2024 à Madagascar par le Malgache AL Andrianjafy, activiste queer et neurodivergent Malagasy, Vatana Spectrum travaille principalement avec les personnes intersexes malgaches, en particulier les plus marginalisées, ainsi qu’avec leurs familles, les professionnel·les de santé, les journalistes, les éducateur·ices et les communautés locales. Vatana Spectrum agit pour la reconnaissance, le respect et la dignité des personnes intersexes à Madagascar. Nous construisons une communauté, produisons des données locales, facilitons l’accès à des soins adaptés, offrons un soutien psychologique, et menons des actions de plaidoyer pour une transformation durable. Vatana Spectrum est un programme sous l’égide de Queer Place, cofondé par AL Andrianjafy.

Created in 2024 in Madagascar by Malagasy AL Andrianjafy, a queer and neurodivergent activist, Vatana Spectrum works primarily with Malagasy intersex people, particularly the most marginalised, as well as their families, healthcare professionals, journalists, educators, and local communities. Vatana Spectrum works for the recognition, respect, and dignity of intersex people in Madagascar. They build community, produce local data, facilitate access to appropriate care, offer psychological support, and lead advocacy efforts for sustainable transformation. Vatana Spectrum is a programme under the umbrella of Queer Place, which was co-founded by AL Andrianjafy.

La Vision / Vision

Un Madagascar où les personnes intersexes sont respectées, soutenues et soignées dignement, avec des droits pleinement reconnus.

A Madagascar where intersex people are respected, supported and treated with dignity, with fully recognised rights.

Mission

Transformer la vie des personnes intersexes à Madagascar grâce à un accompagnement humain, une meilleure information, des soins respectueux, un plaidoyer solide et une communauté forte et solidaire.

To transform the lives of intersex people in Madagascar through human support, better information, respectful care, strong advocacy and a strong and supportive community.

Objectifs / Objectives

• Créer un réseau de solidarité intersexe.
• Collecter et produire des données sur les réalités intersexes malgaches.
• Favoriser des soins médicaux adaptés, respectueux et autodéterminés.
• Offrir un accompagnement psychologique aux intersexes et à leurs proches.
• Sensibiliser les professionnel·les, les institutions et l’opinion publique.
• Obtenir des réformes concrètes pour la protection des droits intersexes.

• Create an intersex solidarity network.
• Collect and produce data on intersex realities in Madagascar.
• Promote appropriate, respectful, and self-determined medical care.
• Provide psychological support to intersex people and their loved ones.
• Raise awareness among professionals, institutions, and the public.
• Obtain concrete reforms to protect intersex rights.

Domaines de travail / Areas of Work

• Communauté & réseau intersexe.
• Recherche et documentation.
• Accès à la santé et droits corporels.
• Accompagnement psychologique.
• Plaidoyer et éducation populaire.
• Médias et culture.

• Intersex community networking.
• Research and documentation.
• Access to health and bodily rights.
• Psychological support.
• Advocacy and popular education.
• Media and culture.

Contact

Site web / Website
Adresse email / Email: contact@vatana-spectrum.org
WhatsApp: +261 34 98 813 48
Signal: +261 32 91 675 75

Founded on 7 September 2023, Initiative for Youth Health Rights and Education Empowerment (IYHREE) is an unregistered organisation with the goal to improve the quality of life of LGBTQI, specifically trans, intersex and gender non-conforming, youth in northern Nigeria by providing them with the tools they need to make informed decisions about their health and wellbeing, and by advocating for their human rights. The organisation was founded by Mx Cookie, Juju Bee and Kira Earl La Posh. Kira is the current Executive Director.

Vision

To create an inclusive and supportive environment where young LGBTQI, specifically trans, intersex and gender non-conforming individuals can freely express themselves, access education and healthcare services, and thrive without discrimination or harassment.

Mission

To educate and empower LGBTQI, specifically trans, intersex and gender non-conforming youth in northern Nigeria by promoting health rights and education and specifically advocating for their equal rights in the society.

Projects

One of IYHREE’s projects is the in-person focus group and survey launched in partnership with ReportOUT. The focus group discussion took place in Northern Nigeria (Kaduna State), with the aim of gathering feedback and insights from these marginalised communities about their access to healthcare services. This collaboration focuses on addressing the healthcare needs of trans, intersex, and nonbinary individuals in Nigeria, with a goal of advocating for better access to quality care for these marginalised communities. Through this partnership, both organisations are working towards promoting inclusivity and equality in healthcare services for all individuals. The focus group discussion provided a platform for members of the trans, intersex, and nonbinary communities to share their stories, voice their concerns, and discuss potential solutions to improve access to healthcare services.

The online survey conducted was designed to collect information on the experiences and challenges faced by trans, intersex, and nonbinary individuals when seeking healthcare services. It covers a range of topics, including discrimination, lack of access to gender-affirming care, and barriers to receiving quality healthcare services.

The data collected from the survey and focus group discussion will be analysed and used to inform advocacy efforts aimed at addressing the systemic barriers that prevent trans, intersex, and nonbinary individuals from accessing quality healthcare services in Northern Nigeria. This information will also be used to develop recommendations for policymakers, healthcare providers, and other stakeholders to improve healthcare access and outcomes for these communities.

According to Kira, IYHREE’s Executive Director,

“The partnership between IYHREE and ReportOUT represents a significant step towards advancing the rights and well-being of the trans, intersex, and nonbinary communities in Northern Nigeria. By listening to their voices and experiences, we can work towards creating a more inclusive and equitable healthcare system that meets the needs of all individuals, regardless of their gender identity.”

Contact

Email: johnhyacinth44@gmail.com / iyhree0@gmail.com
+2349060933842
Facebook
Instagram

Founded on 12 June 2023 by Kyazze Arnold and Nyombi Enoch, Kajiado North for Empowerment and Social Welfare Outreach (KNESWO) works with queer refugees, gender diverse migrant sex workers, and trans sex workers. Since its establishment, KNESWO has been at the forefront of advocating for the rights of marginalised queer refugee sex workers in Kenya. The organisation has provided critical support through legal aid, mental health services, and community empowerment programmes. Through its advocacy efforts, KNESWO has increased awareness about the discrimination and violence faced by its members and has successfully mobilised resources to create safer spaces for queer and trans sex workers.

Vision

A world where marginalised queer refugees, gender-diverse migrant sex workers, and trans sex workers are respected, empowered, and free from stigma. We celebrate diversity as the strength of our community, ensuring equal access to opportunities, rights, and safety for all.

Mission

To empower and unite marginalised queer refugees, gender-diverse migrant sex workers, and trans sex workers by fostering safety, advocacy, and leadership. KNESWO builds an inclusive community that celebrates diversity in culture, gender, and background, ensuring access to resources, rights, and support.

Goals

• Provide mental health and psychosocial support, including counselling and group therapy.
• Advocate for policy reforms and challenge stigma affecting queer refugee and migrant sex workers.
• Offer legal and protection empowerment for members facing discrimination or legal challenges.
• Facilitate health interventions through access to SRHR education and preventive healthcare.
• Conduct research and documentation to inform advocacy and policy change.
• Build a strong movement for marginalised communities, focusing on leadership and resilience.

Contact

Email: kneswo@gmail.com / consorti2022@gmail.com
+254707480048
Facebook
LinkedIn
X (Twitter)

Fondée à Maurice en juin 2023 par Sandrine Julien et Carou Labonne, OUT (Override Unequal Treatment) Moris œuvre auprès des personnes LGBTQ+ ainsi que des victimes et survivant·e·s de violences fondées sur le genre. L’action principale d’OUT Moris s’articule autour de l’information, de l’éducation, de la sensibilisation et du plaidoyer. L’organisation a été enregistrée la même année.

Founded in Mauritius in June 2023 by Sandrine Julien and Carou Labonne, OUT (Override Unequal Treatment) Moris works with LGBTQ+ persons and GBV victims and survivors. OUT Moris’ main work focuses on information, education, sensitisation and advocacy. The organisation was registered in the same year.

La vision / Vision

Une île Maurice libre, égalitaire et inclusive.

A free, equal and inclusive Mauritius.

Mission

Promouvoir les droits des personnes LGBTQ+ et prévenir la violence fondée sur le genre par le plaidoyer, l’éducation et la sensibilisation.

Promote the rights of LGBTQ+ people and prevent gender-based violence through advocacy, education, and awareness-raising.

Domaines prioritaires / Focus areas

• Série de vidéos éducatives – Droits humains, inclusion LGBTQIA+, VBG et éducation juridique
• Fear & Fairness – Enquête nationale sur la perception des personnes LGBTQIA+
• KIFER ? – Campagne de narration et de visibilité
• VUE – Série de documentaires et de dialogues communautaires
• Navigating Spaces – Projet de recherche sur les personnes LGBTQIA+
• Campagne pour l’égalité du mariage – Éducation du public et plaidoyer
• Initiative de suivi des discours de haine – Documentation et plaidoyer
• Action auprès des jeunes et de la communauté – Ateliers et séances de sensibilisation
• N’Joy for Love – Événement d’engagement communautaire et de sensibilisation du public

• Educational Video Series – Human rights, LGBTQIA+ inclusion, GBV, and legal literacy
• Fear & Fairness – National LGBTQIA+ perception survey
• KIFER? – Storytelling and visibility campaign
• VUE – Documentary and community dialogue series
• Navigating Spaces – LGBTQIA+ research project
• Marriage Equality Campaign – Public education and advocacy
• Hate Speech Monitoring Initiative – Documentation and advocacy
• Youth & Community Outreach – Workshops and awareness sessions
• N’Joy for Love – Community engagement and public awareness event

Programmes pour les personnes trans / Trans programmes

• Programme d’inclusion des personnes trans – Sensibilisation, plaidoyer et autonomisation de la communauté

• Trans Inclusion Programme – Awareness, advocacy, and community empowerment

Contacter / Contact

Website
+230 57184270
outmoris@gmail.com
Facebook
Instagram
TikTok
YouTube

Founded in Kenya in 2023 by Sheila Joy, Julie Troca, Brenda and other queer activists, Alliance Trans Shield works with vulnerable trans, non-binary, gender non-conforming, gender diverse and queer individuals, with a particular focus on asylum seekers and refugees. The organisation’s work extends to intersex people and LGBTQIA+ communities with projects specifically addressing trans and intersex needs, centering those most at risk of marginalisation, displacement, and violence. Alliance Trans Shield’s main work is survivor‑led advocacy, digital empowerment, and psychosocial support. They provide safe spaces, amplify voices through storytelling, and build solidarity networks for trans and queer refugees and asylum seekers. They also engage in regional movement‑building, resisting digital violence, and advancing sexual and reproductive health rights. The organisation has not been able to register yet due to transphobic government policies.

Vision

A continent where trans, non‑binary, gender diverse, and intersex people live with dignity, visibility, and justice free from violence and discrimination, and empowered to shape narratives that drive transformative change.

Mission

To harness digital power and survivor leadership in advocating for and empowering trans, non‑binary, gender diverse, and queer refugees and asylum seekers. Through campaigns, storytelling, and community driven initiatives, the organisation transforms digital spaces into platforms of protection, solidarity, and liberation.

Goals/Objectives

• Provide safe housing, psychosocial support, and livelihood opportunities for queer and trans refugees.
• Build solidarity networks across Africa and the Diaspora.
• Resist digital violence and promote safer online participation.
• Strengthen movement building by connecting organisations and activists regionally and internationally.
• Advance sexual and reproductive health rights for trans and gender diverse communities.

Focus areas

• Digital advocacy and empowerment: Using online platforms to amplify survivor voices and resist digital violence.
• Protection and safe housing: Supporting displaced trans and queer refugees with shelter and psychosocial care.
• Movement building and solidarity: Strengthening networks across East Africa and the Diaspora.
• Sexual and reproductive health advocacy: Promoting access to inclusive health services for trans and gender diverse communities.
• Storytelling and documentation: Preserving histories and lived experiences through blogs, workshops, and collaborative archives.
• Intersectional advocacy: Addressing overlapping issues of displacement, disability, gender, and sexuality in our projects.

Contact

Email: alliancetransshield@gmail.com
+254748092583
LinkedIn
Substack

Founded in Kenya in 2023 by Atwine Emmalia, a transfeminist human rights defender, and other activists (names withheld for security reasons), Action for Trans Refugee Kenya (ATREK) came together in response to the urgent need for safety, support, advocacy and community-led services for transgender refugees, asylum seekers and other gender-diverse people living in Kenya. ATREK is a refugee-led, community-based organisation. ATREK primarily works with transgender and gender-diverse refugees, asylum seekers and displaced people living in Kenya. The organisation particularly supports transgender women and other gender-diverse people who experience homelessness, violence, discrimination, social exclusion, poverty, insecure housing and barriers to healthcare and essential services. The organisation’s work also supports LGBTQIA+ refugees and asylum seekers, including people living with HIV, human-rights defenders and other community members facing heightened vulnerability. ATREK aims to ensure that transgender and gender-diverse people are meaningfully included in community responses, advocacy and decision-making.

ATREK works to promote the safety, dignity, health, human rights, inclusion and self-determination of transgender and gender-diverse refugees and other vulnerable LGBTQIA+ people in Kenya. The organisation’s work includes providing or coordinating emergency support, safer-space and shelter assistance, psychosocial support, human-rights advocacy, health information and referrals, community education, capacity building and livelihood empowerment. They also work to raise awareness of the specific challenges faced by transgender refugees and to advocate for more inclusive and responsive services.

At present, the organisation is not formally registered in Kenya. ATREK continues to explore safe and appropriate pathways toward formal registration while carrying out our community work and supporting transgender refugees and other vulnerable LGBTQIA+ people.

Vision

A safe, inclusive and empowered community in which transgender and gender-diverse refugees and other LGBTQIA+ people live with dignity, equality, freedom, security and full access to their human rights and opportunities for sustainable development.

Mission

To build and strengthen a safe, inclusive and resilient community of transgender and gender-diverse refugees through emergency support, protection, advocacy, psychosocial well-being, access to health and human-rights information, skills development and sustainable livelihood opportunities.

Goals/Objectives

• Promote the safety, dignity, rights and inclusion of transgender and gender-diverse refugees and asylum seekers.
• Support access to safer shelter, emergency assistance, food and other essential needs for community members facing crisis and homelessness.
• Improve access to transgender-inclusive healthcare, HIV-related services, sexual and reproductive health information and appropriate referrals.
• Provide psychosocial support, peer support and community-based responses to trauma, isolation and social exclusion.
• Strengthen awareness of human rights and advocate against discrimination, violence and exclusion.
• Build the leadership, knowledge, skills and capacity of transgender and gender-diverse refugees.
• Create sustainable livelihood and economic-empowerment opportunities that support independence and resilience.
• Build partnerships and strengthen collaboration with local, regional and international organisations working on refugee rights, LGBTQIA+ rights and social justice.
• Ensure that transgender refugees are meaningfully represented in discussions and decisions that affect their lives.

Focus Areas / Projects

• Safe Shelter and Emergency Protection: ATREK works to support transgender and gender-diverse refugees who are experiencing homelessness, unsafe housing, eviction, violence or displacement. The organisation seeks to provide safer accommodation, emergency shelter support, food, basic necessities and protection assistance. Safe shelter is especially important because many transgender refugees face discrimination and harassment when trying to access housing.
• Transgender Health, HIV and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights: ATREK supports access to accurate health information, transgender-inclusive healthcare, HIV prevention and treatment services, sexual and reproductive health information and referrals. The organisation also supports community members who face barriers to accessing medication, healthcare facilities and other essential health services.
• Psychosocial Support and Mental Well-Being: ATREK provides peer support, community connection and psychosocial support to transgender and gender-diverse refugees affected by trauma, violence, forced displacement, isolation, discrimination and insecurity. The organisation promotes healing, resilience, self-care and supportive community networks.
• Human Rights Advocacy and Protection: ATREK documents and raises awareness of the human-rights challenges affecting transgender refugees and advocate for safety, dignity, equality and inclusion. The organisation also participate in networking, learning and advocacy spaces to ensure that transgender and gender-diverse refugees are represented and their experiences are heard.
• Livelihoods and Economic Empowerment: ATREK promotes skills development and income-generating opportunities to strengthen economic independence and resilience. The organisation’s livelihood activities have included creative and artisan-based initiatives, sewing and bag-making, clothing and fashion-related work, and other community-led economic empowerment projects.
• Community Education and Capacity Building: ATREK provides information, training and capacity-building opportunities related to human rights, health, safety, leadership, community organising and self-reliance. The organisation supports transgender and gender-diverse community members to develop skills and participate meaningfully in leadership and advocacy.
• Community Building, Networking and Partnerships: ATREK works with community groups, service providers, human-rights organisations and other partners to strengthen support systems for transgender refugees. The organisation participates in learning and networking opportunities and collaborate on initiatives that promote inclusion, protection and community well-being

Contact

+254758646254
Email: actionfortransrefugeekenya@gmail.com
Instagram

Founded in South Africa in 2023 by Ayanda (Yaya) Mqakayi, Yaya M Voices works primarily with intersex people, LGBTQIA+ communities, young people, artists, activists, and communities impacted by silence, stigma, and bodily discrimination. The organisation’s work also speaks to families, especially mothers of intersex children, through education, storytelling, and visibility. Yaya M Voices focuses on documenting and archiving intersex lives, histories, and lived experiences through photography, film, storytelling, interviews, creative activism, and community engagement. Their work challenges medical erasure, social stigma, and invisibility while preserving intersex existence through visual and historical documentation.

Vision

A world where intersex people are fully recognised, respected, protected, and visible as part of natural human diversity, and where future generations grow up with access to truthful representation, history, dignity, and bodily autonomy.

Mission

To create and preserve intersex-led archives, stories, and visual histories through creative documentation and advocacy. The organisation aims to reclaim narrative ownership by ensuring that intersex people speak for themselves and are represented through their own lived realities.

Goals/Objectives

• To document and preserve intersex histories and lived experiences.
• To create visual and educational resources about intersex existence.
• To challenge stigma, discrimination, and non-consensual medical interventions on intersex bodies.
• To support visibility, healing, and self-representation within intersex communities.
• To build archives that future generations, researchers, families, and intersex people can access.
• To contribute toward social and legal change regarding bodily autonomy and intersex rights.

Projects

Current projects include:

• Being Intersex — a photographic body of work documenting intersex identity, embodiment, memory, scars, healing, and lived realities.
• Ride for Intersex Justice — an awareness and advocacy cycling campaign focused on ending non-consensual surgeries on intersex infants and children.
• Unseen Lives — a visual storytelling and documentary project focusing on hidden intersex experiences and social invisibility.
• Archival Documentation — collecting oral histories, photographs, interviews, and visual records related to intersex existence and African intersex narratives.
• Community Education and Visibility Work — creating conversations around bodily autonomy, identity, and intersex human rights through social media, exhibitions, public speaking, and collaborations.

Contact

yayamvoices@gmail.com
0680100962
Facebook
Instagram

Yaya M Voices in the media

Art

Watch our interview with Yaya, 22 May 2026

Founded in Gaborone, Botswana on 22 November 2022, by Crystal Hendricks and intersex activists from Botswana, Malawi,
South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe, the Southern African Intersex Forum (SAIF), primarily works with intersex people, intersex human rights defenders, intersex-led organisations and emerging intersex leaders across Southern Africa. The Forums also engages families, healthcare providers, policymakers, governments, civil society organisations, media practitioners, funders and other allies whose actions affect the rights and wellbeing of intersex people. SAIF is an intersex-led regional forum that strengthens intersex organisations and leaders, coordinates regional advocacy, builds solidarity across countries and advances the human rights, bodily autonomy, dignity and safety of intersex people. The Forum supports member organisations through capacity strengthening, leadership development, movement building, resource mobilisation, strategic advocacy, public education and regional campaigns. SAIF came together during a Southern African Intersex Capacity Strengthening meeting convened by Iranti. Intersex activists from Botswana, Malawi, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe came together to establish the regional collective. The Forum was registered in 2025.

Vision

A Southern Africa where intersex people thrive in full recognition, dignity and freedom.

Mission

To empower and support intersex organisations and leaders through advocacy, movement building and capacity strengthening.

Objectives

SAIF’s objectives are to strengthen the governance, leadership and sustainability of intersex-led organisations; build a connected and resilient Southern African intersex movement; develop intersex leaders through mentorship, learning and wellbeing support; advance legal and policy recognition of intersex people’s rights; promote bodily autonomy and end non-consensual and medically unnecessary interventions on intersex people; increase public understanding and positive visibility of intersex lived realities; strengthen regional advocacy through SADC, African Union and United Nations mechanisms; and mobilise resources for intersex-led work across the region.

Focus areas

SAIF’s thematic areas include:

• movement building and leadership development;
• organisational capacity strengthening and governance;
• strategic advocacy and policy reform;
• bodily autonomy and action to end intersex genital mutilation and other non-consensual medical interventions;
• access to affirming healthcare, justice and legal recognition;
• safety, security and wellbeing of intersex human rights defenders;
• resource mobilisation and donor education;
• communications, media engagement and digital storytelling;
• regional campaigns for Intersex Awareness Day and Intersex Day of Solidarity;
• Umngani programme;
• member-organisation capacity support;
• regional safety;
• and security work, media training, public sensitisation, policy tracking and engagement with SADC, African Union and United Nations human rights mechanisms.

More about the Umngani Programme

The Umngani Programme is SAIF’s regional movement-building and organisational strengthening initiative. It supports intersex-led organisations across Southern Africa through tailored technical assistance, mentorship, leadership development, advocacy support and small grants. During Phase One, SAIF conducted one-on-one organisational support consultations with partner organisations to assess their governance, financial management, strategic and operational planning, monitoring and evaluation systems, leadership capacity and sustainability needs. These consultations identified common priorities, including board training, policy development, stronger financial controls, strategic plans and annual workplans, data-collection tools, M&E frameworks, leadership coaching, safety and security support, and sustainability planning. The findings are guiding a phased technical-support programme that responds to each organisation’s specific needs while strengthening the long-term resilience, accountability and effectiveness of the regional intersex movement.

Contact

Website (under construction)
Email: programmes@saifafrica.com
Facebook
Instagram

SAIF in the media

• New Southern African Intersex Forum launched: https://grocotts.ru.ac.za/2023/03/01/new-southern-african-intersex-forum-launched/
• New collective to campaign for intersex rights in Southern Africa: https://www.thesouthafrican.com/culture/lgbtqia/new-collective-to-campaign-for-intersex-rights-in-southern-africa-breaking-28-february-2023/
• Iranti post on SAIF’s capacity-strengthening workshop:
  https://www.linkedin.com/posts/iranti_the-southern-african-intersex-forum-saif-activity-7272252382615400448-pXDc

25—27 November 2022 Meeting

Between the 25th and 27th of November 2022, intersex activists from Botswana, Malawi, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe met for a Southern African Intersex Capacity Strengthening meeting, convened by Iranti. During this meeting they founded a new collective; the Southern African Intersex Forum (SAIF), with the aim of strengthening the capacities of intersex organisations in the SADC region.

As Southern African intersex activists, we wish to announce the formation of the Southern African Intersex Forum (SAIF). SAIF is an autonomous collective consisting of intersex-led organisations and intersex activists from Southern African countries that work to raise awareness on intersex issues and advocate for the protection of the rights of intersex people.

We aim to:

• Set the regional advocacy agenda on intersex issues;
• Strengthen the capacities of Southern African intersex organisations;
• Share skills, resources and information;
• Collectively mobilise resources for regional intersex organising;
• Co-create regional intersex advocacy campaigns to raise awareness and visibility of intersex issues in the region;
• Engage with regional human rights and policy makers in order to advocate for the promotion and protection of the rights of intersex people in the region;
• Engage in research to contribute to legal and policy review and reform with evidence-based data centered around the lived realities of intersex people; and
• Support the forum’s members to implement advocacy priorities at national level.

We recognise that stigma, discrimination, medical violence, and exclusion of intersex people is prevalent in the region. The legal and policy environment is not enabling for the promotion and protection of the rights of intersex people.Intersex people have limited access to justice and redress when faced with human rights violations both nationally and regionally. Discrimination results in limited access to education, employment, affirming healthcare and other essential services.

We also recognise that intersex organisations in the region have limited access to resources, which hinders their ability to effectively organise, advocate and raise awareness on the various issues and violations that impact intersex people. We also recognise the inherent expertise, experience, and capabilities of intersex activists to bring about social, legal and political change for their communities as well as the on-going work and achievements of intersex activists despite these challenges.

We affirm both the 2017 and 2019 statements by the African Intersex Movement (AIM) and remain committed to supporting the efforts of AIM.

With this background in mind, we call upon SADC member states to:

• Prohibit any non-consensual medical interventions, including surgical, hormonal and sterilisation interventions that alter the sex characteristics of intersex people.
• Ensure that legislation, policy and medical guidelines clearly define “medical emergency” as relating to physical health and not to perceived psychological or social factors.
• Ensure that sanctions exist for healthcare providers who violate the rights of intersex people and who conduct medical interventions (that are not a medical emergency) without informed consent from the patient.
• Ensure that antenatal care includes providing parents with affirming and evidence-based information on intersex traits.
• Avail free and easily accessible gender-affirming health care for intersex adults, based on principles of informed consent and self-determination.
• Provide healthcare providers with training on the health needs and human rights of intersex persons.
• Prohibit discrimination on the basis of intersex traits, characteristics or status including in education, health care, employment, and access to public services.
• Enact enabling laws and policies allowing intersex persons to amend sex markers on birth certificates, identity documents and other official documents.
• Ensure that intersex people have the right to information and are able access to their medical records.

We call on SADC and national human rights bodies to address the structural and institutional barriers that prevent intersex people from the full enjoyment and realisation of their human rights in a systematic way. We call on funders to address the under-resourcing of intersex organising on all levels; locally, nationally, and regionally by providing flexible long-term unrestricted funding without burdensome administrative requirements.

We call on human rights organisations to take leadership from intersex organisations, and engage in meaningful collaboration and partnership with us when working on intersex issues through the principle of “nothing about us without us”.

Source: Iranti — https://youtu.be/LWUof8bQ8P8?si=JF73s-lcC7FpRvF_

Founded in Nigeria in November 2022 by Yemi Ogunwa, Positive Champions Health and Empowerment Initiative (PCHEI) works with trans, intersex and gender diverse persons in the fields of capacity building, mental health services, human rights intervention and advocacy, healthcare access and community research. PCHEI is dedicated to advancing health equity and environmental sustainability across Nigeria. Their programmes are designed to empower individuals, transform communities, and inspire positive action toward a healthier, cleaner, and more resilient future. The organisation was registered on 30 May 2024.

Vision

To have a society where indigent, vulnerable and marginalised persons, thrive in a positive and inclusive environment, with their health, rights, and well-being respected and protected.

Mission

To champion collaboration with relevant stakeholders to ensure the wellbeing of indigent, vulnerable and marginalised persons through advocacy, capacity building, empowerment, mental, sexual and reproductive health service delivery and to create a positive environment for them to thrive.

Objectives

• To advocate for the social and mental health rights and protection of indigent, vulnerable and marginalised persons.
• To contribute to the HIV/AIDS response and community mobilization efforts, focusing on outreach programmes and support services.
• To contribute to advocacy in executing laws and policies that protects rights of indigent, vulnerable and marginalised persons. 
• To collaborate with like-minded organizations to address sexual and mental health needs, empower young community members through skills acquisition programs, conduct and publish research to inform advocacy initiatives for indigent, vulnerable and marginalised persons 

Strategic Goals

• To empower indigent, vulnerable and marginalized persons, through education, skill development, mentorship, and leadership training. 
• To influence legislative changes and policy reforms that promote the rights and well-being of indigent, vulnerable and marginalised persons.
• To promote the well-being and positive mental health of indigent, vulnerable and marginalised persons. 
• Actively promoting the inclusion and participation of indigent, vulnerable and marginalised persons in community and societal spaces, program design, and decision-making processes.
• To conduct research and gather data on the unique challenges and needs of indigent, vulnerable and marginalised persons, and use this information to inform advocacy efforts and policy changes.
• To foster collaborative relationships with stakeholders, partners, and communities to strengthen the impact and reach of the organisation.

Focus/Thematic Areas

• Comprehensive healthcare: PCHEI collaborates with healthcare providers to ensure that indigent, vulnerable and marginalised persons have access to quality and gender-affirming healthcare services. The organisation also conducts health awareness campaigns and provide resources to help our communities make informed decisions about their health.
• Mental health and psychosocial support: The organisation offers counselling and support groups and provides sensitisation around the recognition and destigmatisation of mental health issues within the communities they serve.
• Advocacy and human rights: PCHEI engages in targeted advocacy campaigns, lobbying efforts, and policy analysis to challenge discriminatory practices, social and climate injustice, and promote inclusive policies. The organisation aims to influence legislative changes that enhance the rights and well-being of our communities. PCHEI conducts public awareness campaigns and training programs to combat stigmatisation and prejudice, as well as strives to foster a society that respects and embraces diversity.
• Community research: The organisation conducts esearch to gather data on the unique challenges and needs of gender and sexual minorities and women. This research informs PCHEI’s advocacy efforts and helps them shape policies that benefit the communities they serve. They also publish research findings and share the knowledge they’ve gathered.
• Human rights and gender-based violence intervention: PCHEI focuses on sensitisation and provides paralegal services.
• Sexual and reproductive health: PCHEI provides safe and inclusive services and sexual health workshops.
• Capacity building and empowerment: PCHEI offers a range of educational programmes, workshops and vocational training. They also connect individuals with mentors and networks to facilitate personal and professional growth.

Contact

Website
Email: positivechampionsinitiative@gmail.com
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
X/Twitter
TikTok

Videos and Reports by PCHEI

Watch this video by PCHEI on what it’s like to be a trans woman in Nigeria:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Bbbo2jRQ9Vf2Jfnl3NoFVuHsRS4w3RXr/viewRead PCHEI’s Project Impact Report

Read the Intersex Awareness in Ogun State, South Western Nigeria: Perspectives From Health Workers and the General Population, compiled by PCHEI.

Founded in Nigeria in March 2022, Supporting Trans, Intersex, and Gender Non-Conforming People Initiative (STAG) was initially a peer-support, community organising and safe space network for trans, intersex, gender diverse and gender non-conforming people from around 2018/2019. STAG Initiative works with womxn, trans, intersex, gender-diverse, gender non-
conforming people, and other underserved LGBTQI+ community members in Nigeria. The network was begun by Kelsey Brookes, Claudia, and Gloria Henshaw (Juniper), and 16 other trans, intersex, gender diverse and LGBQ+ community members. The organisation’s work particularly centres people who experience multiple layers of exclusion, including trans women, trans men, intersex persons, gender-diverse persons, LGBTQI+ youth, survivors of gender-based violence (GBV), people living with HIV, sex workers, displaced persons, and community members facing homelessness, family rejection, violence, health exclusion, and legal insecurity.

STAG Initiative works at the intersection of advocacy, empowerment, safety, health justice, and human rights for womxn, trans, intersex, and gender non-conforming people in Nigeria. Their main work includes crisis response, safe housing support, gender-based violence response, legal and psychosocial referrals, SRHR and HIV-related advocacy, community documentation, leadership development, movement building, and policy advocacy. They also create safe spaces where community members can access care, information, support, and collective power. STAG was born out of a deep collective frustration with the violence and discrimination faced by the communities mentioned above, and their work is rooted in ensuring that no one is left behind or erased. STAG advocates for justice, provides safe spaces and services, supports GBV survivors, strengthens community-led crisis response, empowers marginalised communities, and challenges the systems that produce violence, exclusion, and discrimination. STAG was registered in 2025.

Vision

A society where everyone, including trans, intersex, and gender non-conforming people, can thrive and have full access to comprehensive healthcare, education, and empowerment, when they want it and how they want it. A future where no one has to hide who they are, explain their existence, or negotiate their dignity before accessing care, safety, education, or opportunity.

Co-founder, Kelsey Brookes says,

“As a visionary leader, I strive to create inclusive spaces and drive systemic change to ensure that every individual, regardless of gender identity, can thrive and be treated with dignity and respect.”

Source: https://www.vitalvoices.org/fellow/kingsley-kalu/

Mission

To create an inclusive society where anyone, regardless of gender identity, can live freely and safely.

Goals/Objectives

• Promote the safety, dignity, and human rights of trans, intersex, gender-diverse, gender non- conforming people, and other underserved LGBTQI+ communities in Nigeria.
• Provide crisis response, safe housing, psychosocial support, legal referrals, and survivor-centred care for community members facing violence, homelessness, family rejection, or insecurity.
• Advance access to inclusive healthcare, SRHR services, HIV prevention, treatment literacy, and gender-affirming information and support.
• Strengthen community leadership, especially among trans, intersex, and gender-diverse young people.
• Document community experiences, rights violations, movement histories, and evidence for advocacy and policy change.
• Build solidarity across generations so that older and younger trans, intersex, and gender-diverse activists can share knowledge, context, experience, strategies, and skills.
• Advocate for laws, policies, systems, and services that respect bodily autonomy, inclusion, safety, and justice.

Focus areas

• Crisis Response and Safe Housing — STAG supports trans, intersex, gender-diverse, gender non-conforming, and LGBTQI+ community members experiencing violence, homelessness, family rejection, threats, forced displacement, or urgent safety needs. This includes safe housing, emergency relocation support, case management, and referral coordination.
• Gender-Based Violence and Legal Protection — STAG provides survivor-centred support for community members affected by gender-based violence, intimate partner violence, blackmail, family violence, public harassment, and rights violations. The organisation also supports referrals to legal, psychosocial, and protection services.
• SRHR, HIV, and Health Justice — STAG advocates for access to inclusive healthcare, HIV services, SRHR information, treatment literacy, mental health support, and gender-affirming care information. Their work responds to the
  exclusion of trans, intersex, and gender-diverse people from mainstream health systems.
• Trans and Intersex Movement Building — STAG creates safe spaces for leadership development, peer learning, advocacy training, and community mobilisation. The organisation is particularly interested in strengthening intergenerational learning within the trans and intersex movement, because of the widening gap between older and younger activists. This gap is leading to the loss of knowledge, political context, lived experience, advocacy skills, and movement memory.
• Documentation, Research, and Data-Driven Advocacy — STAG documents lived realities, human rights violations, health access barriers, and community histories. The organisation uses evidence to support advocacy, policy engagement, donor engagement, and movement learning.
• Climate Justice and Social Protection — STAG integrates gender and climate justice by recognising how crisis, flooding, displacement, poverty, and environmental insecurity affect trans, intersex, gender-diverse, and other
  marginalised communities.
• Economic Empowerment and Education — STAG supports access to skills, education, empowerment opportunities, and leadership pathways for underserved community members.

Contact

Email: info@staginitiative.org / tgnpn.ng@gmail.com
+2348137760417
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Founded on 3 February 2022, Hope Trans Initiative is non-profit advocacy organisation founded by trans individuals who had the passion and desire to support intersex, trans and gender non-conforming (ITGNC) people to gain access to affirming care and equal opportunities. The organisation was founded as a support group by Faith Blessing, Beryl Achieng, Brian Muchere, Vicky Masinde and Rinah Olukusi due to lack of an inclusive organising within Kenya for rural and peri-urban areas along the coast of Kenya in Mombasa County that could provide safe spaces, gender-affirming services and advocate for ending the injustices that this segment of the community face. The organisation is registered, but not as an LGBTQIA+, trans or intersex organisation due to government regulations.

Country Context

The support group was formed to support ITGNC persons that were vulnerable to lack of safety and security, and further exploitation based on the myths around homosexuality and its relation to gender identity. According to Hope Trans Initiative, homosexuals and gender variant people in Kenya, particularly in rural and peri-urban areas,

“are largely depicted as a taboo, curse, devil worshippers and repugnant to the culture of our society with majority being denied their right to an identity, suffer stigma and discrimination and sexual violation and social marginalization. This has kept them from socializing and being active members of the community thus hindering the development of self-confidence, and in-turn leading to social anxiety and depression.

Specifically, within healthcare setting, medical professionals, directly and indirectly, discriminate against ITGNC persons by miss-gendering individuals, breaking confidentiality at facilities, and asking intrusive questions. On the other hand, affirming health care for intersex, transgender and gender nonconforming persons is unavailable while at the same time, sex reassignment and HIV programming rarely considers the situation of ITGNC persons. Additionally, ITGNC persons within coastal region face wide spread of violation spanning from arbitrary arrest and detention, humiliating body checks and frisking to determine one’s biological sex, false accusation of intent to impersonate of false pretense as our physical anatomy might not match our gender expression and identity and by virtue of having bodies that often fall outside of the culturally accepted norms.”

Vision

A resilient and vibrant society committed to equality, diversity and inclusion irrespective of sexual and gender orientation.

Mission

To foster a sense of belonging to eliminate all forms of inequalities through integrated programmes, with the emphasis being on gender affirming, establishing a safe space, providing training and advocacy, awareness raising and sensitisation and, psycho-social support and stakeholder’s engagement to enhance a society committed to equity, diversity and inclusion for holistic empowerment and social change.

Goals/Objectives

• To provide holistic, effective and reliable care and support for ITGNC persons within the Kenyan coastal region, spanning from safe spaces, psycho-social support, and ITGNC-friendly counselling services.
• To advocate for the human rights of ITGNC people and change the attitudes of the society towards sexual and gender minorities to end stigma, discrimination and all forms of violence and social marginalisation against sexual and gender minorities that deny these communities an opportunity to live dignified lives to their full potential.
• To galvanise a sustainable, self-sufficient and resilient movement of ITGNC people to promote access to gender-affirming healthcare services.
• To step in the gap of other similar organisations that overlook rural and per-urban coastal regions and to advocate for the rights and equal treatment of ITGNC
  persons who have had lived experience of deeply rooted stigma, rights violation and social exclusion in order to promote the overall well-being through psychosocial and socio-economic empowerment.
• To provide a platform for ITGNC persons to assert their power in numbers energy and imagination to transform society to be a beacon of hope for all its people and to build a better society.

Programmatic Areas

• Advocacy: Facilitate advocacy campaigns to advocate for the fundamental needs of ITGNC persons and to send an unambiguous message to the communities they serve that all humans, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation, deserve the same respect, protection, and realisation of their rights while challenging existing power struggles to improve care, demand resources and influence policies wherever they are needed as we remain open to equality, diversity and at the same time safeguarding confidentiality and lobbying for institutional policy changes so that they remain resolute in advancing justice, often in the face of ongoing violence, inequity, and exclusion.
• Psycho-social support: Provide access to competent psycho-social support for ITGNC persons within the Kenyan coastal region through counselling, formation of mentorship and support groups that are specific to the needs of ITGNC persons, support provision of access to psychiatric care
  and rehabilitation, and facilitating a holistic approach to mental and broader individual well-being that enables a healthy environment for an individual to manage normal stressors of life and identify positive coping mechanisms.
• Awareness building and sensitisation: To increase awareness and understanding of ITGNC people and share knowledge to empower the community and to help service providers, professionals, families and the public to better understand ITGNC needs.
• Safety and security: To reduce violence against ITGNC within coastal region through community-led safety initiatives focused on improving conditions for people most affected by systemic violence and discrimination within ITGNC communities, based on their sexual and gender orientation/expression. On the other hand, we work to increase ITGNC affirming protections that promote full inclusion and equal opportunity while increasing social inclusion and public support for the ITGNC community.
• Organisational system strengthening: aimed at building a strong, dynamic, resilient institution that is effective and efficient in delivering its mandate.

Contact

Email: hopetransinitiative@gmail.com
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The Association des Guinès Manguès de Guinée (AGMG) was founded in Guinea-Conakry in February 2022 and was registered on 7 December 2023.

Vision and Aim

The vision of AGMG is to bring a fairer, more egalitarian change to the acceptance of human rights without distinction of gender, sex, race and socio-professional strata in the community. The aim of the organisation is to contribute to the development of sexual minorities and to defend their rights. AGMG’s purpose is to:

• Respect human rights, in particular those concerning diversity of sexual orientation.
• Contribute to improving the quality of life of lesbian, transgender, and bisexual and (LGBT) people.
• Improve access to quality health care, the fight against HIV/AIDS, the fight against stigma and discrimination as well as gender-based violence (GBV).
• Promote the rights of children and young girls, particularly lesbians, trans and non-binary people, and bisexuals.
• Create literacy centres for lesbians, trans and non-binary people, and bisexuals with a view to promoting the creation of income-generating activities.
• Participate in the fight against stigmatisation and discrimination of people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS.

Mission

To plan the implementation of programs and services adapted to the realities of sexual minorities as well as the visibility and empowerment of LBTQ women and non-binary people through the power of communication and innovation in Guinea. AGMG’s mission is achieved through the following objectives:

• Inform and raise awareness about the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and STIs (Sexually Transmitted Infections);
• Promote the human rights and sexual and reproductive health rights of marginalised social groups;
• Contribute to the psychological and medical care of people infected and affected by HIV-AIDS;
• Ensure large-scale advocacy for the improvement of the living conditions of LGBT people;
• Work for entrepreneurship and professional integration of young people, particularly LGBT people;
• Develop the skills of members for better involvement in political dialogue on health-related issues;
• Work for the participatory improvement of key targets in the governance and development of national health programs.

Values

Among others: volunteering, dynamism, respect, non-discrimination, tolerance, transparency, integrity, solidarity, inclusion, professional ethics.

Areas of Work

• Fight against STIs and AIDS.
• Fight against stigmatisation and discrimination and gender based violence (GBV).
• Promotion and defense of human rights.
• Capacity reinforcements.
• Advocacy.
• Support (community, psychological and social).

Contact

Email: associationdesguinesmanguesdeg@gmail.com
(+224) 224 624 40 05 41 / 622 021 943
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