In commemorating the 15th anniversary of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (Maputo Protocol), the Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria, is developing a photo exhibition and short video on the theme ‘Transwomen are women’. The exhibition and video will focus on the strength of Article 1(k) of the Maputo Protocol which provides that 'Women means persons of female gender, including girls'.

The exhibition and video seek to more poignantly bring to the table the idea of inclusivity and that the human rights of minorities exist and can be protected, promoted, fulfilled within already existing legal and institutional frameworks. The over-arching message of the exhibition is that Trans-women are women and have full and legal claims to the enjoyment of the human rights of women on the basis of their gender.

The exhibition seeks to locate the realities and rights of trans-women within the broader set of the realities and rights of women and their multiple and often intersecting levels of vulnerabilities. It wants to firmly re-iterate trans-inclusivity in the discourse and practicalities of the rights of women in Africa. More importantly, this exhibition seeks to creatively chart a course for the inclusion and recognition of non-heteronormative gender identities and expressions as well other maligned issues and identities within the focus of the African human rights discourse.

There is a great opportunity to embrace the momentum of the commemoration of the 15th anniversary of the Maputo Protocol and to introduce and foster the argument of trans-inclusivity within the human rights framework for women.

The Centre for Human Rights calls trans-women in the Gauteng area who are ready and willing to be heard, seen and participate in the exhibition to ‘whip up 'storms'’, questions, and foster the conversation on trans-inclusion to please contact us as soon as possible to arrange details regarding a possible meeting.

(Please note that we cannot offer remuneration to the participants in this project but we hope that the contribution to the conversation regarding trans-inclusivity will be a good incentive.)

To participate in the trans-inclusivity campaign, please contact:

Mr David Ikpo
Communications Officer
Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE) Unit
Centre for Human Rights
University of Pretoria
david.ikpo@up.ac.za