Social Inclusion & Diversity
ArtGlo views equal treatment for all—regardless of ethnicity, religion, gender, disability, or sexual identity—as a fundamental part of healthy and open societies. Our Inclusion and Diversity work directly confronts and challenges all forms of hate and discrimination against key populations. Specifically, we will work in the following key areas, building off from the incredible work we have done over the last 6 years through the Umunthu Healthcare Workers Project.
Our Social inclusion and diversity programme works directly with community influencers, policymakers, and public service providers to unearth and challenge all forms of discrimination against minority populations. The programme utilizes Umunthu, the pan-African philosophical concept of humanity to solicit empathy and bring awareness of our oneness as people. Utilising Umunthu, the pan-African philosophical concept of humanity to solicit empathy and bring awareness of our oneness as people and artistic participatory methodologies as a catalyst for reflection and discussion, we:
- Address public service provision discrepancies, especially in health, justice, and social sectors;
- Advance social inclusion and equality for all from a human rights perspective;
- Exert efforts in local, national, and regional agenda-setting against discrimination, social exclusion, and marginalization of minority groups; and
- Advocate for the repeal of archaic, oppressive, and discriminatory laws that work against the fundamental principles of human rights.
Umunthu Inclusive Society’s project
This 2-year project seeks to build strong and resilient networks through movement-building initiatives that will be responsive and able to take up action against human rights violations perpetrated against LGBTI people. Grassroots LGBTI organizations and other like-minded grassroots organizations are being trained to strengthen their capacity in responding to human rights violations, through the understanding of the legal environment and justice system. They will also build capacity in how to leverage the developing movement to better support their members, and link effectively with Justice Sector Actors and trained players who have committed to play their role to achieve an inclusive social climate for discriminated persons, especially LGBTI people. These activities are being complimented by family workshops aiming to build an immediate support network of LGBTI people.
The project will also seek to raise awareness of the situation of LGBTI people in Malawi by engaging key stakeholders through advocacy art pieces that will be produced by LGBTI people themselves. This will help show the common humanity of LGBTI people (including humanizing strategic cases), leading to an exhibition for decision-makers to go hand in hand with SALC’s legal advocacy work.
The project is being implemented in Phalombe, Chikwawa, Dedza & and Mchinji.
Reach
The Umunthu Inclusive Society's Project has so far reached:
Umunthu Health care workers project- Phase 1
The Umunthu Project was a 6 years project, executed by ArtGlo reaching out to 11 districts in Malawi, Zomba, Chikwawa, Dedza, Nkhotakota, Mchinji, Phalombe, Blantyre, Nsanje, Lilongwe, Thyolo and Mulanje. It was a comprehensive, two-phase initiative aimed at improving healthcare service delivery and accessibility for LGBTI individuals in Malawi. The project's primary approach was to foster understanding and empathy towards LGBTI individuals within healthcare systems and the broader community, thereby promoting inclusive health service delivery. The workshops fostered a deep understanding and appreciation of the unique healthcare needs of the LGBTI community.
Umunthu Health care workers extension project- Phase 2
