In every country across Africa, the road to sustainable development is paved not only with policies and plans, but with principles. Principles of dignity, inclusion, health, equity and, above all, human rights.

These principles are in action every day, through our policy and structural work; from efforts to solar-power remote health clinics in Zambia and Zimbabwe, to strategies addressing substance abuse among young people in Ghana, to support for African manufacturing of essential medicines and vaccines. But there remains the hard truth: we cannot deliver on these development goals if we continue to leave behind the people who are most marginalized.

That’s why UNDP’s #WeBelongAfrica initiative was established five years ago to support the inclusion of young key populations and sexual and gender minorities, including LGBTI+ people, as an equally critical mass in development ambition, guaranteeing no one is left behind.

Three reasons why this work matters

First, human rights are universal, indivisible and non-negotiable. The United Nations, including UNDP, is grounded in the principle that upholds human rights – not just for some, not only when convenient, but for all people everywhere – and sometimes that means challenging powerful forces. Last year, for instance, the UN Secretary-General launched a new UN strategy to protect LGBTI+ persons from violence and discrimination. It was met with pushback in some quarters – but we must remember that human rights advocacy is not about political popularity, it is about standing up to injustice, even when it is uncomfortable.

Second, inclusive human rights for all is an imperative and a necessity to public health. Marginalized groups are disproportionately affected by HIV and face barriers to prevention and treatment. Criminalization and discrimination make it impossible to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. When Nigeria passed stricter anti-LGBTI legislation, HIV service uptake among men who have sex with men dropped sharply. 

Third, inclusive governance is critical to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Africa’s Agenda 2063. The SDGs pledge to leave no one behind. Agenda 2063 envisions a continent of good governance, justice and respect for human rights. We cannot fulfil these promises if entire communities are excluded from services, policymaking and protection.

What #WeBelongAfrica does is critical

The #WeBelongAfrica initiative collaborates with state actors and community representatives throughout sub-Saharan Africa. We assist in strengthening legal frameworks, fostering inclusive public services and promoting accountability and engagement across various sectors.

#WeBelongAfrica brings together several complementary projects that share this common goal, including the Inclusive Governance Initiative, Southern Africa Young Key Populations Inclusion Initiative, the LGBTI Data Initiative and the Power of Prevention, focusing on: 

• Supporting decision-makers – parliamentarians, judges, civil servants – to understand and respond to the needs of LGBTI+ people and young key populations.
• Enhancing the ability of community groups to engage effectively with government institutions.
• Creating spaces for dialogue and collaboration between states and communities on policy reform and programme design.

However, each country’s context is unique. South Africa has progressive laws, while Kenya and Botswana have achieved progress through the courts, and Mozambique and Angola through their parliaments. Still, in some regions, laws and rhetoric remain significant barriers. Nevertheless, every country possesses constitutional or cultural foundations that uphold dignity, inclusion and diversity. These are the tools that must be harnessed to foster change.

The challenge – and the opportunity

We’re at a pivotal moment, as democratic and human rights principles are significantly under threat. Health financing faces a crisis, and with declining international support, the needs of the majority of the population continue to grow. The work of inclusive governance in the health sector is more challenging than ever, and it remains more urgent – and more transformative. While it is not necessary to agree with everything or feel personally comfortable with every issue, it is essential to commit to inclusion and respect human rights as fundamental to public health. 

Looking ahead

This work isn’t easy. But it is essential. And it belongs to all of us.

#WeBelongAfrica is a movement grounded in partnership, courage and hope. Together, we’re working to ensure that governments across Africa are inclusive of – and accountable to – all their people.

Through the #WeBelongAfrica initiative, UNDP collaborates with state actors and marginalized communities to uphold human rights, strengthen public health and build accountable, inclusive institutions.

Editor’s note: This blog is adapted from remarks delivered by Jeffrey O’Malley at the Regional Inclusive Governance Dialogue held in Johannesburg on 4 November 2025.