The Emerald 50 Fund with GiveOut has been established to support LGBTQI human rights activism in Southern Africa. The Fund is managed by the award-winning charity GiveOut and is generously sponsored by Steve Wardlaw and his company Emerald Life, a UK insurance provider offering equality of experience for diverse customers including the LGBTQI community and women.
Across Southern Africa, LGBTQI people face human rights violations in law, policy and practice. In many countries colonial era laws criminalise consensual same sex relations, and LBT+ women in particular face discrimination, harassment and violence. At the 2018 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London, the UK government expressed regret for colonial era laws and committed to supporting decriminalisation. Yet much work still needs to be done.
These challenges will only be exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the Emerald 50 Fund, we will continue to support activists and their organisations working across Southern Africa to improve the lives of LGBTQI people and as they adapt to the unique challenges surrounding the pandemic.
To donate to the Emerald 50 Fund, please click the button below.
Grant partners supported under the Fund
Access Chapter 2
Location: South Africa
Focus: LGBTQI and women’s human rights
Website: https://www.facebook.com/AccessChapter2/
Access Chapter 2 (AC2) works to protect and promote the human rights of LGBTQI people, women and girls in South Africa. The organisation seeks to uphold South Africa’s bill of rights, found in Chapter 2 of the country’s Constitution, which guarantees civil, political and socio-economic rights for all.
The Other Foundation
Location: Southern Africa
Focus: LGBTQI human rights in Southern Africa
Website: http://theotherfoundation.org
The Other Foundation works to advance equality and freedom in Southern Africa, with a focus on sexual orientation and gender identity. It holds two grant-making rounds annually, with the first allocated to general LGBTQI groups, and the second to lesbian and transgender projects and organisations.