Eswatini Sexual and Gender Minorities

Africa

Eswatini Sexual & Gender Minorities is focused on advancing the protection of human rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex persons in the Kingdom of Eswatini. The organisation is further working on reducing harm that effects the well being of Emaswati based on sexual orientation and gender identity & expression. Vision Statement: Social cohesion in Eswatini, where LGBTI persons attain full rights and social well-being, resulting in high quality life for all. Eswatini Sexual and Gender Minorities (ESGM) was founded to take the queer rights movement beyond the current politics as we understand them. ESGM aims to take an active approach to improve the rights to decent lives for sexual and gender minorities in Swaziland. the organisation seeks to help LGBTIQ movements move away from complacency, fear and personality politics, and start a fresh approach which aims to support, represent and empower all Swazis who define themselves as sexual and gender minorities. For activism and the efforts in advocacy to be effective, ESGM takes an inclusive approach. The organisation understands that LGBTIQ persons are differently positioned in a traditional and conservative system that seeks to annihilate diverse identities and that some are more vulnerable than others. It is this understanding that informs ESGM’s mission and mandate. Every identity that falls under the LGBTIQ banner should be and is accorded its own importance. The organisation works on reducing harm that affects the well being of Swazis based on sexual orientation and gender identity and expression. ESGM facilitates change and the development of new areas of policy, in order to tackle unmet health and human rights needs and/or deal with emerging needs in our communities. ESGM further lobbys and advocate for equality and recognition of Basic Human Rights for all at all levels of governance. With specific emphasis on LGBTI persons. ESGM continues to utilise all available avenues to advocate, lobby and sensitize institutions and bodies that have the status of opinion leaders. This includes parliamentarians, reporters (editors and journalists) and religious leaders. Their work further includes amongst others, lobbying and advocating for change in attitude and creation of policies that are in line with the constitution and respects the rights of the LGBTI community. Services being offered are; - Psychosocial support and referrals - Lobbying and Advocacy for Equality - Free distribution of health care commodities. - Legal and Policy reform, for a conducive environement. - Education and sensitisation on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity/Expression