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Borno

IMG-20230722-WA0003

Development of Consciousness and Facilitation for the Advancement of LGBTQI+ Rights in Borno State

The “Development of Consciousness and Facilitation for the Advancement of LGBTQI+ Rights in Borno State” project was a comprehensive advocacy and service-delivery initiative designed to strengthen the legal, social, and community protection of LGBTQI+ persons across Borno State, Nigeria. Implemented over a 20-month period by Society for Equal Health and Rights (SEQHER), the project addressed the severe human rights challenges faced by LGBTQI+ individuals living in a region marked by insecurity, discrimination, social stigma, and criminalization. Supported by funding from Initiative Sankofa d’Afrique de l’Ouest (ISDAO), the initiative created safer spaces for community engagement, rights awareness, legal support, psychosocial assistance, and advocacy.

Throughout the project, SEQHER implemented a broad range of community-centered interventions including civil and human rights campaigns, focus group discussions, feedback forums, human rights sensitization trainings, gender-based violence response services, paralegal capacity-building programs, and strategic advocacy visits to government agencies, health institutions, law enforcement bodies, and community leaders. The project also introduced groundbreaking Pride events in North-Eastern Nigeria, creating rare safe spaces where LGBTQI+ individuals could openly express themselves, build networks, and celebrate their identities without fear of persecution. Across these interventions, beneficiaries reported improved awareness of their legal rights, increased confidence in seeking justice, stronger community solidarity, and reduced incidents of blackmail, extortion, and exploitation.

A major achievement of the project was its success in building strategic relationships with state institutions, civil society actors, and international organizations while simultaneously strengthening grassroots LGBTQI+ organizing in both urban and rural communities. The initiative supported over 234 survivors of gender-based violence, trained community paralegals, established networks of changemakers and allies, and expanded advocacy efforts into underserved local government areas including Konduga, Bama, Magumeri, Mafa, and Jere. Despite operating in an environment characterized by political hostility, economic instability, and security risks, the project significantly improved community resilience, visibility, access to justice, and human rights awareness for LGBTQI+ individuals in Borno State while laying a stronger foundation for long-term community-led advocacy and protection systems.

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Voices Unbound Project

The Voices Unbound Project was established to address the severe health, protection, and human rights challenges faced by LGBTQI+ individuals in Borno State, Nigeria. Operating within a context shaped by legal persecution, social stigma, insurgency, and widespread discrimination, the project adopts a comprehensive community-led model that integrates healthcare access, strategic advocacy, psychosocial support, and rights awareness. Through funding support from the Embassy of Ireland under Irish Aid’s ICMPS 2025 program, Society for Equal Health and Rights (SEQHER) implemented interventions across Maiduguri Metropolitan Council, Jere, Biu, and Bama LGAs to strengthen healthcare access pathways for vulnerable LGBTQI+ populations.

A major achievement of the project has been the establishment of formal collaborations with the Borno State Ministry of Health, State AIDS and STI Control Programme (SASCP), primary healthcare centres, and major treatment facilities. These partnerships enabled the development of safer referral systems for HIV testing, treatment initiation, gender-based violence support, and psychosocial care. Within the reporting period, the project screened 1,269 individuals for HIV, identified 102 reactive cases, conducted 683 GBV screenings, and established four Positive Support Groups that provide peer-led psychosocial support, treatment adherence counselling, and economic resilience initiatives. Eight trained Peer Navigators now serve as frontline community health agents, facilitating outreach, accompaniment, case tracking, and confidential support services for beneficiaries across the four LGAs.

The project also focused on public engagement and systems strengthening through World AIDS Day campaigns, online legal and health symposiums, institutional advocacy visits, and intensive community training programs. Despite operating in a hostile environment marked by anti-LGBTQI+ sentiment, security threats, and community backlash, the project successfully built trust among marginalized populations while strengthening relationships with health institutions and local stakeholders. Through strategic adaptation, trauma-informed care, and community-driven interventions, Voices Unbound continues to restore dignity, improve healthcare access, and create safer support systems for LGBTQI+ individuals living in Borno State.

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From Displacement to Stability: The Safe House Initiative

When the Safe House Project began in mid-2024, the need was urgent. Many LGBTQI+ individuals in Borno State were living without shelter, cut off from family support, and exposed to violence and discrimination.

To respond, SEQHER established a secure safe house in Maiduguri, offering immediate access to housing, food, and basic care. What started with a small number of residents quickly grew as more individuals were referred through trusted community networks across the state.

Beyond shelter, the project focused on helping beneficiaries rebuild their independence. Through programs like digital skills training, entrepreneurship workshops, and apprenticeship placements, participants gained practical tools to earn income and support themselves. Mental health support also played a critical role, with ongoing sessions designed to help individuals recover from trauma and build resilience.

However, the journey was not without setbacks. Delays in funding, rising inflation, security threats, and severe flooding in Maiduguri disrupted planned activities and forced adjustments to timelines and resources. Despite this, the project adapted—providing emergency relief during the floods and continuing its programs under challenging conditions.

By the end of the 12-month period, the Safe House Project had impacted over 1,100 individuals. Many beneficiaries moved on to safer living conditions, secured income opportunities, and became more confident navigating daily life.

The project stands as a critical intervention in a high-risk environment, demonstrating how targeted support, community collaboration, and resilience can create meaningful change—even in the most difficult circumstances.