Being an LGBTQI+ person in Malawi is challenging. LGBTQI+ persons are subjected to different forms of discrimination when they want to access social services.
The Marriage Divorce and Family Relations Act of 2015 coupled with the Penal Code sections 153, 154, 156 and 137A are the legal instruments that are usually referred to in legitimizing any form of discrimination. Cultural and religious beliefs and values also have had a huge impact in perpetrating the discrimination mostly evidenced in the denial of services that range from health and justice.
Art and Global Health Centre Africa (ArtGlo) with support from Southern Africa Litigation Centre is implementing Umunthu Inclusive Society project in a bid to address access to justice systems which also has a connection to access to other social services.
In a three-day workshop held from 12th to 14th July, 2023 at Nchalo in Chikwawa district, ArtGlo brought together LGBTQI+ persons and their family and friends. The workshop was organised to create responsive, resilient networks through movement-building efforts that can take action against human rights abuses against LGBTI people. Additionally, it will increase their ability to use the growing movement to better serve their members. The goal of the interaction with the family and friends was to create an immediate LGBTQI+ support network.
When asked about their reaction after learning that their family member or friend is an LGBTQI+ person, one of the participants had this to say: “When my uncle disclosed his sexual orientation, I was really sad. I was worried about him not being able to have children. After several months, I accepted him and I noticed that there were others who are like him.”
LGBTQI+ persons face challenges when it comes to access to justice systems. Through artistic expressions, LGBTQI+ persons demonstrated the challenges they face including failure to receive fair treatment from the police, lack of employment opportunities, and verbal abuse from religious institutions and communities at large.
The Umunthu Inclusive Society project started by engaging Primary Justice Actors which included members from the Police, judiciary and community and religious leaders. The workshops were organised to understand the philosophical concept of Umunthu and how it can be utilized to promote access to justice systems by all including the LGBTQI+ persons themselves.
In the second phase, ArtGlo is now engaging LGBTQI+persons and their family and friends in convergence workshops. These workshops are being organised to understand the challenges LGBTQI+ members face and how their family and friends can understand and support them.
The Umunthu Inclusive Society project is a two-year project being implemented with support from Southern Africa Litigation Centre (SALC).
