Rights under Arrest: Impacts of the SSMPA on marginalized communitiesand Organizations(A Decade’s Reflection)

In collaboration with the Centre for Health Education and Vulnerable Support
(CHEVS), The Initiative for Equal Rights (TIERs) embarked on a critical research
project titled “Rights under Arrest: Impacts of the SSMPA on marginalized communities 
and Organizations (A Decade’s Reflection).” This project sought to evaluate the
profound effects of the Same-Sex Marriage Prohibition Act (SSMPA) enacted in
2014 on the socio-economic status, psychological well-being, and institutional
capacities of marginalized communities and organizations in Nigeria. A decade after its
implementation, the SSMPA continues to shape the lives of many, often in
deeply detrimental ways, and this study provides much-needed insights into
these impacts. This research was conducted with the invaluable support of the
Centre for Health Education and Vulnerable Support (CHEVS) and was jointly
funded by TIERs and CHEVS.

Objective

1. To explore the socio-economic status and organisational efforts of marginalized communities in Nigeria before the SSMPA, providing a comparative
   analysis to understand the shifts in livelihoods and community organising
   as a result of the legislation.
2. To assess the impact of the SSMPA on the socio-economic and
   psychological well-being of marginalized individuals, particularly focusing on
   experiences of violence, discrimination, and the barriers to accessing
   essential services and opportunities.
3. To analyze the SSMPA’s effects on marginalized communities, particularly their ability to function, secure funding, and advocate for marginalized  community rights within
   the restrictive legal framework.
4. To evaluate the broader economic repercussions of the SSMPA on
   LGBTQI+ individuals, particularly in terms of criminalization and its effects
   on livelihoods.

Report Information Collaborators: CHEVS
Language: English
Number of pages: 41
Type: Research report