DRL Strengthening LGBTQI+ Human Rights in Francophone West and Central Africa

Civic space continues to rapidly shrink around the world with human rights defenders and civil society organizations facing increasingly hostile environments in which to operate and hold governments accountable. Francophone West and Central Africa are no exception to this global trend. In addition to coups and extraconstitutional changes in government, the people of West and Central Africa have faced widespread restrictions on fundamental freedoms, including freedom of expression, of association, and of peaceful assembly. Repressive cybercrime and NGO laws, crackdowns on peaceful protests, and increased government monitoring have made it more difficult for civil society and independent media to operate and demand accountability for human rights violations and corruption. Members of marginalized populations face compounded challenges as they are targets of social stigma and discrimination because of their identities.