In July 2016, The East Africa Trans Health and Advocacy Network (EATHAN) was formed by founding member Barbra Wangare in Kenya as a network of trans-diverse activists and organisations in East Africa working to improve the livelihoods of gender-diverse persons in East Africa. Member organisations represent 34 activist and trans community organisations across Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda.

Mission

EATHAN’s mission is to equip and enable East African trans* diverse individuals and institutions, to organise and advocate for the improvement of their health, the recognition of their gender, and the protection of their human rights, utilising informed research and documentation, particularly on health and HIV, and by enhancing their livelihoods through capacity strengthening and empowerment. In 2021 EATHAN celebrated International Women’s Day by hosting their first-ever Live Show on the topic of Trans Womanhood.

Areas of Work

The organisation’s main mandate is to support its members. It does this through technical support with fundraising proposals and attending conferences, as well as budget writing. It also offers capacity strengthening initiatives so that member organisations are able not only to fundraise, but to build the capacity to handle donations and carry out the projects funding was sought for. Member organisations are also trained in financial management and financial accountability.

EATHAN also engages in global trans activism and is one of the organising committee members of the United Nations Trans Advocacy Week that is held yearly.

Resource Hub

The EATHAN Resource Hub is a space where, among other things, its research is documented, providing community members with information on transitioning, legal gender recognition, challenges, as well as documents on legal and human rights advocacy and policy changes affecting trans and intersex communities.

Watch our interview with Barbra from 15 October 2024

TIHA’s Victor J. Mukasa and Barbra discussed her personal journey as a trans woman and the early history of trans awareness in Kenya, her role in the founding of Kenya’s second trans organisation, Jinsiangu and the work that she and EATHAN do in Kenya, East Africa and globally.

Contact EATHAN

Website
info@eathan.org
+254 797 551980
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