Kuishi!

​LGBT Voice Tanzania will implement the Kuishi! For All (Kuishi!) project, to develop the framework for LGBTQI communities to normalize tolerance, respect and equality for all persons across greater communities and to develop the replicable systems that enable LGBTQI communities and networks to dispel bias and inspire respect and acceptance.

KUISHI! is an empowered, inclusive project based on social inclusion, particularly among LGBTQI and allies, persons with disabilities, racial and ethnic minorities, and indigenous communities.

KUISHI! partners, allies and Advisory Council will develop and use technology/ digital tools to reach and engage the greater Tanzanian community, to address and mitigate bias as well as to educate and advocate for greater social inclusion and acceptance of sexual and gender minorities. KUISHI! will educate communities on the cultural trauma that results from bias and discrimination toward LGBTQI communities, through design and delivery of advocacy, education, and leadership opportunities, particularly in stigmatizing environments.

​KUISHI! will provide needed resources, capacity development, and leadership opportunities. KUISHI! will engage identified LGBTQI and allies to strengthen capacity building toward acceptance and respect for their communities and other minorities through in-depth trainings and workshops, an Advisory Council, engaged activists and stakeholders, and an extensive anti-bias and anti-discrimination traditional and social media campaign. LGBTQI communities and allies will be engaged to leverage their unique experiences to facilitate positive change and attitudes within themselves and across their differing communities, and the country as a whole.

Challenge

Tanzania is among the unfriendliest countries for LGBTQI persons, with harsh penal laws and entrenched community and institutional bias and discrimination. More than 2 million LGBTQI people in TZ do not have access to quality health services, including HIV prevention, treatment, and support, due to prejudice based on gender identity and sexual orientation. TZ has seen unprecedented increase in street drug use, and sex work, to buy drugs, and due to LGBTQI youth expelled from home and families. TZ criminalizes same-sex sexual activity, with sentences including life imprisonment. LGBTQI are regularly subjected to discrimination and violence. Although TZ is a member of the United Nations Human Rights Declaration, government does not comply with international human rights obligations, providing no protection against discrimination on basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Homosexuality is criminalized in the penal code, and marriage equality is not recognized for all couples, regardless of sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity. As recently as February 2023, Tanzanian government warned against dissemination of online messages and videos promoting same-sex relationships. In 2020, US Department of State noted courts have charged individuals suspected of same-sex sexual activity with ‘loitering’ or ‘prostitution’. A 2020 Human Rights Watch report  indicated TZ Government engages concerted attacks on LGBT people and organizations, with arbitrary arrests for sexual orientation and gender identity, and forced anal ‘examinations’. In 2017, TZ government banned operation of pro-LGBTQ organizations, closing 40 centres that conducted HIV testing/medication distribution. Widespread misinformation about homosexuality encourages oppression and violence towards LGBTQI persons.

Solution

Trainings will be organized to address the dynamic needs of LGBTQI communities, ensuring empowerment, advancement of tolerance and respect among the general community for others’ beliefs and backgrounds, as well as key skills development among LGBTQI communities and allies, conducted to ensure shared experience and knowledge across gender identity, ethnicities and minority status. Capacity-building training areas will include respect and tolerance for diverse communities, especially LGBTQI, as well as support for financial literacy, economic empowerment, and technical empowerment for economic growth. All trainings, media and outreach will provide advocacy and respect for and between LGBTQI communities. The KUISHI! Advisory Council will include 25% minimum minority representation. 

Objectives include: To train LGBTQI and allies through monthly anti-bias trainings; To train LGBTQI via monthly leadership/empowerment workshops/trainings; Establish Kuishi! Advisory Council with LGBTQI activists; To train key LGBTQI activists in advanced advocacy leadership trainings; To train legal professionals on human rights advocacy to support LGBTQI community; To provide trauma-informed mental/behavioral health supports/resources to LGBTQI community; To develop web-based/social media processes for confidential reporting of abuse.

To reach 100,000 engaged users via social media (Twitter, WhatsApp, Instagram, Discord, Snapchat, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, Substack); To reach 500,000 individuals through social/traditional media anti-bias campaign messaging; To reach 20,000 individuals in monthly community events, 33 different locations; To provide mental/ behavioral health support/resources; To provide quarterly Advocacy/Constitutional Protections Training for Lawyers; To provide communities with digital/physical/mobile resources educational libraries on health, drugs, sex education, trauma, abuse and economic/personal empowerment.

Long-Term Impact

Quantitative: 100,000+ community members engage with diversified, respectful messaging regarding respect and tolerance for LGBTQI; sustainable collaborations with diverse organizations; engaged LGBTQI in leadership and advocacy trainings; KUISHI! develops sustainable partnerships with community stakeholders; anti-bias messaging to 500,000; more than 100 individuals confidentially report instances of abuse.
Qualitative: Demonstrated increase in respect/inclusion for diverse communities; Measurable increase in media, reports, news regarding tolerance and respect for diversity; Demonstrated increase in public support among stakeholders for visibility and empowerment of diverse and marginalized communities; Demonstrated increase in acceptance and tolerance of distinct perspectives and LGBTQI persons among family and community; Demonstrated reduction of hateful rhetoric and discriminatory attitudes in media, political speech, and social events; At least 50 engaged business and faith leaders maintain sustained collaboration with KUISHI! Advisory Consortia; KUISHI! engages in documented community and legislative action to advance and protect freedoms of all beliefs and backgrounds.

​This leads to:
Diversified, respectful outreach and messaging standardized among/ between LGBTQI and community; 
Sustainable engagement and collaboration between LGBTQI individuals and organizations, 
Increased tolerance/respect/inclusion for LGBTQI among community; 
Media and community demonstrate support for visibility/ empowerment of LGBTQI communities;
Increased acceptance/respect of LGBTQI persons among family/community; 
Mitigation of hateful rhetoric and discriminatory attitudes; 
Engaged business and faith leaders develop sustained collaboration with LGBTQI stakeholders; 
KUISHI! Advisory Council engages in community and legislative action to advance and protect human rights/ freedoms for all; 
Advocacy against LGBTQI violence; 
Improved legal protections for LGBTQI persons.