Dear Friends:
Greetings from Rwanda we do hope our email finds you well.
We have previously advocated with other coalition civil society members on behalf of sexual minorities actions and activities not to be criminalized under the penal code of Rwanda which was successful.
our efforts in this endeavor are geared at.
- Promoting coalitions that work to strengthen advocacy efforts to improve conditions for LGBTIQ individuals;
- Protect and promote LGBTIQ rights through legal aid, psychosocial support, research based advocacy and awareness raising of their rights.
HRFRA hosted the first ever East and Central Africa Regional Conference in Kigali in August 2021 to discuss issues and challenges of Sexual minorities in the great lakes region and how to forge a common advocacy agenda in support of the rights and specifically on right to association of LGBTIQ groups in the region. Find below featured articles of the event and attached outcome Document.
We currently hosting four LGBT+ organizations namely Rwanda Gender Pride, Proud organization, Safe Friendly Society and Feminist Action Development Association on Trans. Gay, Bisexual and Lesbian rights respectively. HRFRA has also been deeply involved in the organizing of the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT) in Kigali where we have been part of discussion panels presenting views from a Human Rights Perspective. At regional level we belong to the Pan African International Lesbian and Gay Association (PAN AFRICA ILGA) and we wrote a paper on Intersectionality focusing on LGBTI rights on the same forum. HRFRA was part of the team that drafted the Lomé Protocol of 2014 that solidified the position of Sexual minorities at a continental level. We engage the media in advocacy and provide awareness to the masses on the plight of the LGBTIQ community in Rwanda. https://bit.ly/2oHlQuX
However, despite all the efforts we have done so far LGBTIQ persons continue to face daily discrimination, violence and Isolation from both state and non-state actors and this has heightened during the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak which has especially affected LGBTIQ youth who harm themselves with risk behaviors such as drug abuse and suicide.
https://rwandatoday.africa/rwanda/news/pandemic-hits-rwanda-s-sexual-minorities-harder--3231252
They do not enjoy the right to Association which is a fundamental human Right and are treated as lesser persons. They cannot register their Associations or Non-Governmental organizations.
They cannot access gainful employment, education because of their sexual orientation status and are living at the fringe of poverty.
It is against this backdrop that we seek to empower the LGBTIQ groups to become their own Human rights defenders, make advocacy for their organizations to be registered, included in Government policies as a marginalized and disadvantaged group and also continue to give them Legal aid and psycho social support.
However, we cannot attain the above objectives without the support of well-wishers and partnering with like minded organizations .
It is against this background that we seek to partner with your organization in making a better world for the LGBTIQ community where they are free from discrimination and Violence.
You can also share with friends and support us at:
https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/uphold-sexual-minority-rights-in-the-great-lakes/
We look forward to your consideration in this regard
Sincerely,
Me Musangwa Jonathan
Programs coordinator
HUMAN RIGHTS FIRST RWANDA ASSOCIATION
B.P 7564 Kigali/Rwanda
KK 495 st HSe 77
Tel: +250-0788623625/252584621
https://www.facebook.com/rightsrwanda/?ref=br_rs
No comments:
Post a Comment