For decades, LEGABIBO has been at the forefront of the fight for equality, dignity, and human rights for LGBTQIA+ persons in Botswana. Today, that fight has taken on new urgency. The recent US funding freeze has sent shockwaves through the community, threatening access to critical healthcare services, shutting down safe spaces, and putting livelihoods at risk. In response, we launch Still We Stand—a campaign of resistance, resilience, and collective action in the face of this crisis.

Why “Still We Stand”?

 

This campaign is a defiant declaration that we will not be erased. Despite funding cuts that have led to the closure of Drop-In Centres (DICs) and the disruption of HIV and mental health services, we refuse to be silenced or sidelined. This is a moment of reckoning—not just for Botswana’s LGBTQIA+ community, but for all who believe in justice and human rights.

 

The Impact We Are Fighting Against

 

 

Loss of Access to Healthcare: Reduced availability of HIV testing, PrEP, ART, and mental health services.

Loss of Safe Spaces: The closure of DICs has left many without a secure place to access support.

Increased Vulnerability: Without financial support, LGBTQIA+ persons face higher risks of homelessness, unemployment, and poverty.

Escalating Stigma and Discrimination: Without strong advocacy and funding, many are left unprotected from violence and systemic exclusion.

 

 

Through Still We Stand, LEGABIBO is mobilizing communities, allies, and global partners to push back against injustice and demand sustainable solutions. The campaign will:

 

Document and Amplify Voices: Through storytelling, media engagement, and impact assessments, we will expose the real human cost of the funding freeze.

Advocate for Alternative Funding: We will actively engage local and international partners to fill the gap and secure resources for critical LGBTQIA+ services.

Rebuild and Reclaim Safe Spaces: By fostering community-led initiatives, we will explore innovative ways to provide support outside traditional donor structures.

Mobilize Legal and Policy Advocacy: We will push for government accountability and greater domestic investment in LGBTQIA+ rights and services.

Strengthen Community Solidarity: Through online and offline actions, we will show that we are not alone—we are still here, and we are still fighting.

 

 

Still We Stand is more than a campaign—it is a movement. It is a call to action for those who refuse to see human rights traded away and who believe that justice is not negotiable. We are not victims. We are survivors. We are fighters. And together, we will reclaim our future.

Join us. Stand with us. Because even in the face of adversity, STILL WE STAND.

 

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