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Beyond The Rainbow
LEGABIBO’s 2019 – 2023 Strategy, “Beyond the Rainbow”, offers a telling insight into the character and conviction of the organisation: that increasing the standard of dignity and equality experienced by presently marginalised and excluded minorities is inextricably linked to deepening Botswana’s democratic Project towards greater liberty, justice and security for all. Securing the human rights of LGBTIQ+ people in Botswana is one of many stepping stones along a path of social change, towards a mature, progressive society, a rising tide that ultimately lifts all boats.
“Beyond the Rainbow” expresses a vision for systemic transformation in Botswana where legal, sociocultural, political and practical change have impact within, and beyond, the LGBTIQ+ community, to engage with the social fabric of the nation. The Strategy positions the LGBTIQ+ community as beneficiaries of transformation, but does not end there: LGBTI people in Botswana are to be more than consumers, they are to be contributors to change.
LEGABIBO bravely addresses the reality that, ultimately, continuity, growth and sustainability of the Movement is a function of active community; people-driven, not organisation-driven. “People, Communities and Movements” is one of three pillars that frame the 2019-2023 strategy, as significant a priority as “Health” and “Policy and Advocacy”.
1. Strengthening People, Communities and Movements
LEGABIBO supports the formation of a pool of young, vibrant Community Organisers, Leaders, Advocates and Activators (COLAs) who, in turn facilitate community development and provide key services and referrals (within and beyond the LGBTIQ+ space). LEGABIBO also works towards communities with access to key services, improved health, social and economic outcomes over time, as well as more cohesion and readiness for joint social action.
The movement building initiative is about having community members, including COLAs, LEGABIBO and allied organisations (LGBTIQ+, human rights, and others) engage constructively in local and national struggles, as well as connecting with other communities and interest groups whose agendas are related to ours. This would ensure that people’s efforts to claim their rights are, in turn, connected to more technical lobbying, influencing, capacity development and litigation processes led by LEGABIBO (or others), thus leveraging multiplier effects and slowly building a more mainstream, national agenda for change and transformation, which includes, but is not limited to, LGBTIQ+ specific issues.
2. Reforming Policy and Law
LEGABIBO works towards ascertaining that laws and policies are aligned with human rights principles (freedom from criminalization on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity and expression; full recognition of transgender and intersex people by the state). Our objective is to ensure that legal and policy barriers to LGBTIQ+ people’s full inclusion and participation in Botswana society are removed and enabling laws and policies introduced.We collect and document data on LGBTIQ+ community realities, stories and issues. These data can be used to inform policy and law changes.
3. Changing Systems and Services
At its heart, LEGABIBO is an advocacy and human rights organisation. We continuously engage with the community, service providers and many other stakeholders to raise awareness on human rights of LGBTIQ+ persons. This includes (but not limited to) advocacy around access to health services, protection from discrimination, rights and needs of transgender people being recognized in practical ways in Botswana. The purpose of changing systems and services is to see the state (with civil society support) enabling the provision of more equitable access to services for all, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, sex characteristics (SOGIESC), or other forms of difference.
LEGABIBO is an Effective vehicle to support movement and transformation. This area focuses squarely on LEGABIBO itself, and improving its capacity and effectiveness.
