Our SID team engaged with Primary Justice Actors and LGBTI persons in Dedza, Chikwawa, Phalombe, and Mchinji districts to among
others unearth some significant changes that can be attributed to the Umunthu Inclusive Society Project. This was done through follow up and convergence workshops that were held in October 2023. Both parties stressed the impact the workshops have had on their personal & professional lives.
“I never thought that some people are born without feeling for the opposite sex. I used to think that they all do it for money since it seems to be a foreign behavior. The Umunthu workshop that I attended helped me to understand that some people are indeed born gay, lesbian and transgender.” Narrated a female police officer from Dedza.
Another police officer from Phalombe added that he personally thought that the LGBTI people are not deserving of anything good in life and that he was unreceptive of them at work. The participants also shared that the Umunthu workshops strengthened collaboration among stakeholders. These are among the many significant change stories that Primary Justice Actors (PJAs) have registered through their engagement with the project.
On the other hand, an LGBTI person from Mchinji also applauded the engagements and said that the knowledge and information he has acquired will assist him to be analytical when pursing different activities as a community. He further shared that he is now well
aware of his rights and responsibility which has been one of the hinderances is the pursuit of justice.
Despite the change that has been registered, participants also shared some of the challenges in the fight against discrimination towards the LGBTI. Christopher Pindani, a Prosecutor from Phalombe highlighted resource constraints when handling cases including those that involve minority groups.
“We rely upon Government provisions to follow up on cases. However, when we see the need, we utilize our own resources to address cases about an underprivileged and minority member,” lamented Pindani.
These follow-up workshops took two days per district where separate meetings were held at different times on the first day followed by a convergence meeting on the last day. The project facilitated establishment of LGBTI led district movements and strengthened their capacity in responding to human rights violations. The project also connected them to PJAs committed to play their role to achieve an inclusive justice system that is receptive of discriminated persons, especially LGBTI people.
