Pema Kenya is set to convene a three-day intensive Leadership and Advocacy Training next week, bringing together emerging LGBTIQ+ advocates from across Mombasa County. The training comes at a critical time as LGBTIQ+ individuals in the region continue to face systemic challenges that limit their participation in civic life and policy-making spaces. These include limited awareness of civic rights, inadequate representation in governance structures, safety concerns, and restricted access to effective advocacy tools.

Recognizing these gaps, Pema Kenya aims to nurture a stronger, more informed, and resilient cohort of community leaders. The upcoming workshop will focus on strengthening leadership capabilities, enhancing communication and advocacy skills, and deepening participants’ understanding of civic and constitutional rights. It will particularly bring together LBQ women, transgender persons, and youth who are increasingly stepping into organizing and advocacy roles within their communities.

Throughout the three days, participants will be taken through sessions on policy engagement, media literacy, digital storytelling, and community mobilization. They will also receive practical guidance on personal safety, digital security, and wellbeing—critical areas for activists operating in challenging environments. By providing these tools, the training aims to empower advocates to influence policies more effectively and champion equality, justice, and inclusion within their communities.

The workshop will be delivered using a highly participatory Human Rights–Based Approach (HRBA), ensuring that principles of equality, participation, non-discrimination, accountability, and empowerment are central to the learning process. Ultimately, the training seeks to enhance meaningful LGBTIQ+ participation in civic and policy processes, contributing to the broader push for protection and realization of human rights in Mombasa County.

This workshop is supported by the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) through the Safe Spaces, Strong Voices: Strengthening Inclusive Governance and Gender Equality for LGBTIQ+ Communities project.

The workshop will be cordinated by:
Nekesa Wandera, Programs Officer

Background Information

LGBTIQ+ individuals in Mombasa County continue to face significant barriers in accessing justice and exercising their civic and democratic rights. Challenges such as discriminatory policing, harassment, limited legal knowledge, and fear of reporting violations contribute to a climate where many rights abuses go unaddressed. With the country approaching the 2027 General Elections, the need for strengthened legal awareness and civic participation among LGBTIQ+ communities has become even more urgent.

Pema Kenya recognizes that informed and empowered communities are better equipped to claim their rights, hold duty bearers accountable, and participate meaningfully in governance processes. To address these gaps, Pema Kenya will be conducting a series of five legal literacy workshops aimed at increasing legal knowledge, improving confidence in seeking justice, and enhancing civic engagement among LGBTIQ+ individuals in Mombasa County.

Goal of the workshop

To strengthen the legal literacy, rights awareness, and civic participation of LGBTIQ+ individuals in Mombasa County, ensuring they can access justice and safely engage in governance and electoral processes.

Objectives of  workshop

• To enhance participants’ understanding of Kenyan laws and constitutional rights.
• To increase awareness of access-to-justice pathways, including legal aid and safe reporting mechanisms.
• To build confidence among LGBTIQ+ individuals to document and report violations.
• To strengthen knowledge of democratic rights and civic engagement ahead of the 2027 General Elections.
• To equip participants with practical tools for safe participation in electoral processes, including potential roles in election observation.

Methodology of Delivery

The workshops will be conducted through a physical sessions, each bringing together 40 LGBTIQ+ participants, facilitated by an advocate and  paralegals. Using a Human Rights–Based Approach (HRBA), the sessions will be participatory, inclusive, and empowerment-focused.

This engagement is supported by the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) through the Safe Spaces, Strong Voices: Strengthening Inclusive Governance and Gender Equality for LGBTIQ+ Communities project.

Responsible Person

Nekesa Wandera, Program Officer