Uphold sexual minority rights in the great lakes

Recognizing that Civil Society Organizations have a role to play in bridging the gap between policy formulation and implementation, Human Rights First Rwanda Association took to empower civil society organizations to advocate and lobby for the rights of Sexual Minority groups.

The overriding principles of non-discrimination and equality were emphasized and imparted to the participants.

It was agreed that the LGBTI persons should also take ownership of the advocacy strategies since it is them who feel the pinch of discriminatory practices and stigma. What Civil Society Organizations can do is compliment their advocacy endeavours and build their capacity.

Sexual minority rights remain a far fetched concept especially in the rural areas of Rwanda but with a concerted effort people may yet come to accept that sexual minority rights need to be respected.

In a bid to share best practices with likeminded advocates on LGBTI rights H.R.F.R.A organized a consultative meeting with a crossection of stakeholders all of whom had interests in upholding sexual minority rights within the region.

Members from the Civis Society, Journalists and lawyers graced this consultative meeting airing out their views on the strides reached in upholding the aforementioned rights as well as pointing out the existant gaps that these minorities face in their daily lives.

Key to note was the stigma that exists more so in the rural areas where persons belonging to the sexual minority subset who face major challenges of inclusivity and acceptance in the society. A concerted effort was called upon each stakeholder to defend these rights and create mass awareness to the wider community with the expectations that these negative mindets and perceptios may ultimately change.