CHEVS

Free & Equal, is a two years initiative (2022-2024) dedicated to addressing structural and systemic issues such as punitive laws and policies, that impact negatively on the human rights of key population groups (LGBTQI+, Sex workers and people who use drugs) in Nigeria, particularly with regards to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, Safety and Security. The initiative will consist of legal empowerment programs, activities, and advocacy targeted at the focus communities, institutional stakeholders and policy-makers. 

Funded by ISDAO under the five years love alliance initiative, Free & Equal brings together, national thought leader MINORITY WATCH, queer women and PWUD led organization IGE-SRH and YABS with CHEVS as the Administrative lead.

Together we will challenge the structural barriers of criminalization and exclusion of all of us in our diversity through advocacy and legal empowerment of our rights holders.

Objectives

With this powerful initiative we aim to achieve the following goals

  • To strengthen the leadership capacity of consortium partners; Initiative for Gender Equality and Sexual Reproductive Health, Minority Watch, and Youth Awake for Better Society, on policy advocacy, SRHR, and movement-building.
  • To awake the consciousness of LGBTQI, sex workers, and PWUD persons on their human rights, sexual rights and justice systems available to seek redress.
  • Desensitization of policy makers and Law enforcement agencies on their perception of LGBTQI, Sex Workers, and PWUDs.
  • An end to systematic violence, stigma and discrimination of key populations.

Free & Equal is about us – people and our power when we come together as communities of LGBTQI, Sex workers and people who use drugs. We will use experience from our lived realities, and evidence from our impact. Rather than work in Silos, we have chosen to mobilize and synergise, bringing together our different strengths and competencies towards addressing intersectional issues affecting our communities.