HUMAN RIGHTS
We champion the protection and promotion of human rights for marginalized communities, particularly LGBTQIA+ individuals in Nigeria. We work tirelessly to challenge discrimination, fight
violence, and ensure equal rights for all.
We are engaged in an on-going documentation and monitoring of human rights violations that are reported to us by individuals and partners in other parts of the country.
The media in any society is a barometer of how the society is thinking and the discourses shaping that society at any giving moment. So we take the media very seriously and monitor how they report and represent the lives of Nigerians. Our media monitoring allows us to design our programmes and policy advocacy using evidence-based research.
Through our in-house lawyer and a team of external lawyers, we provide pro-bono legal aid service to people who have or are experiencing human rights violations. We do this through legal representation at police stations and in courts, and through alternative dispute resolution in Lagos and other parts of Nigeria.
We promote the rights of Nigerians through engagement at the national, regional and international human rights bodies ensuring that rights are protected and promoted.
Our advocacy at the national level involves engagement with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) and the State Agencies for the Control of AIDS (SACA) to extend universal health coverage for all.
We also engage in policy analysis and advocacy to improve policy formation and implementation. Through our partners, we have been involved in the validation of the broader gender analysis tool that include intervention for women for NACA and the National Social Protection Policy through the National Planning Commission (NPC).
We use storytelling as a tool to engage and educate the general public on issues relating to LGBT persons in Nigeria. Our approach includes telling the stories and realities of LGBT persons through books, short and feature films, documentaries and other forms of audiovisual. We tell these stories to highlight the realities of LGBT persons and provide an alternative narrative to the general public.
We offer security and safety information to ensure that human rights violations and mob attacks are kept to a minimum. Through our 24/7 dedicated telephone helplines, people are able to report attacks and seek immediate assistance.
Please call 07011472241 or 08146337128 or send us an email: info@initiative4equality.org to report emergencies.
SEXUAL HEALTH AND WELL BEING
Our Sexual Health and Wellness Clinic focuses on improving access to comprehensive health care services by minorities in Lagos and the environs by providing gender-affirming care free of
discrimination. We implement peer-led training, offer healthcare services, and advocate for sexual rights to ensure that everyone can make informed, safe decisions
We provide individuals with sexual health education with focus on HIV/AIDS, and other STI prevention and management. This exercise is conducted via diverse platforms ranging from Peer education trainings, community dialogues, outreach events and online platforms.We also employ the use of bulk SMS in disseminating vital health tips, and information on safer sex practices as well as outlets to get safer sex commodities.
We embark on advocacy visits to public and private health facilities, health care providers and other relevant stakeholders to strengthen partnership for an enabling policy environment in the provision of non-discriminatory services and to ensure increased access to comprehensive treatment free from stigma and discrimination.
We provide psychosocial counseling and services to community members via a one-on-one counseling session, and also via our Toll-free and hotlines. These psychosocial services ranges from cases of self-denial about the outcome of test results, depression as a result of stigma and discrimination, adherence to treatment and other health related services.
Our HIV Testing and Services team provides individuals with HIV counseling and testing services alongside STI syndromic management.
CAPACITY BUILDING
Our capacity building programmes offer direct skills building for minority groups. We provide advice on education, life skills empowerment workshops as well as a leadership development programmes in
the Anglophone West African sub-region.
An initiative to build the capacity of nascent Human Rights activists and organizations in Anglophone West Africa countries.We do this by providing comprehensive trainings on programme design and implementation, fundraising, advocacy and leadership skills for a more sustainable and integrated movement across the sub-region.
The project also links Human Rights activists and organizations to organisational development opportunities, engagements at regional human rights forum, peer learning and fellowship programmes. We have carried out this programme in Ghana, Sierra Leone and Gambia. Many of the beneficiaries of the programme have contributed to the development of their country’s shadow report on the human rights situation of minority groups.
We facilitate and conduct workshops to sensitize key stakeholders such as law makers, human rights organizations and health care providers in expanding their knowledge. Through our community dialogue, we provide business enterprise development trainings, advice on education and life skills workshops to individuals.
With support from Heartland Alliance, we have conducted diversity training workshops with the police, the civil defence agency, journalists and the Lagos State office of the Citizens’ Complains Office.
We also operate a resource center that provides a range of materials on self-development, sexual health, human rights, educational materials and videos. Individuals can also engage in online research and job search and CV development using the resources of the centre.
The principle that “human rights are universal” underscores the fundamental idea that every individual, irrespective of their sexual orientation or gender identity, is entitled to the same rights and freedoms. This inclusivity is vital for fostering a society where diversity is celebrated rather than marginalized. Recognizing the inherent dignity of all people means advocating for equality, protection against discrimination, and the freedom to love and express oneself openly.
