WHER will empower 100 lesbian, bisexual, queer and trans women by providing means of livelihood and self-sufficiency through vocational skills training including coding, graphic design and digital marketing to empower them to become financially independent and to amplify their voices against injustices using performance arts. It will also enable them make informed decisions about their bodies, choices, sexual and reproductive health and challenge harmful practices and other forms of violence.
Women in Nigeria experience high level of social injustice and violations of the fundamental human rights. LBQT women in Nigeria face many challenges than their heterosexual peers in obtaining economic independence and improving their life chances. They are made hyper-vulnerable due to the socio-cultural, religious, and legal barriers they face, which often rob them off their sense of autonomy, self-esteem and self-confidence to lead their lives and to challenge sexist and homophobic norms.
Due to the aforementioned challenges, LBQT Women become mostly dependent on relatives for sustenance who in most cases are homo/Transphobic or become involved in criminal activities. These pose a great need for interventions that strengthen their autonomy by enhancing their capacity to become financially independent. This project would enable them to live life on their own terms and in resisting and mitigating the effects of gender inequality and homophobia and supporting others to do the same.
This project will enable WHER Initiative train 100 LBQT women with vocational skills (computer training, coding, graphic design and digital marketing) to improve their livelihood, self-reliance and become financially empowered. This will enable them have autonomy bodies, choices, and strengthen their voices to stand up to visibly challenge sexism, homophobia, and other forms of discrimination in Nigeria. They will also be trained to use performing arts to amplify their voices against injustices.
