Project profile — Strengthening Syrian and Iraqi LGBTI Activists for Building Inclusive Civil Societies

This initiative aims to build and safeguard strong human rights mechanisms and inclusive civil societies in Iraq and Syria.

The expected outcome of this project includes strengthened human rights mechanisms and more inclusive civil societies in Iraq and Syria.

Results achieved as of December 2021 include: The project enhanced the work of LGBTQI communities and human rights defenders in Syria and in Iraq by supporting localised efforts to: develop advocacy and awareness campaigns, including in online spaces; facilitate educational sessions for families; raise awareness on the unique issues of LGBTQI+ communities in the context of conflict through film and art, and; share best practice and resources on how to cope with media bias against the community. The project also organized workshops to promote mental health awareness among LGBTQI+ individuals and delivered safety and security workshops for at-risk communities. Project activities also included research and analysis on the circumstance of Lesbian, Bi-sexual and Queer women in conflict and post-conflict situations to inform the design and implementation of LGBTI-sensitive policies and programs in the Middle East. The project worked with humanitarian aid organizations operating in conflict zones to identify gaps in legal protections, policies, and programs in humanitarian aid organizations.