UNDP’s #WeBelongAfrica programme plays a pivotal role in advancing inclusive, accountable and rights-based governance across Sub-Saharan Africa, including in countries such as Namibia.

#WeBelongAfrica is a regional initiative designed to strengthen the capacity of governments to be more inclusive and responsive to sexual and gender minorities. It also empowers marginalized groups to participate meaningfully in governance, influence policy and hold institutions accountable. By promoting legal and policy reforms aligned with international human rights standards, the programme fosters collaboration between civil society, government institutions and international partners – ensuring that no one is left behind.

In many countries across the Global South, including Namibia, punitive laws and entrenched social norms continue to marginalize lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI+) people. The #WeBelongAfrica programme works to dismantle these barriers by promoting inclusive governance structures that reflect the diversity and dignity of all people. One of the most compelling examples of #WeBelongAfrica’s impact is the story of Desiree Haman, Director of the Khaibasen Rural Action Foundation in Keetmanshoop, Namibia. Over the past three years, Desiree has undergone a profound transformation through her engagement with the programme.

What began as a simple introduction to a regional initiative soon became a turning point in Desiree’s role as a leader and changemaker. Through #WeBelongAfrica, she gained valuable skills in governance, advocacy and community engagement – tools that have strengthened her efforts to hold local leaders accountable and drive change in her community. Workshops and dialogues organized by the programme introduced Desiree to the power of collaboration among diverse stakeholders, including government officials and civil society organizations. Her participation in the Ten Years of Resolution 275: Advancing LGBTI+ Rights in Africa regional meeting was a transformative experience. It deepened her understanding of political engagement and affirmed her voice as a leader.

Desiree recalls how the spaces encouraged open dialogue and critical questioning without fear of judgment. “UNDP’s #WeBelongAfrica has contributed a lot to supporting the programmes and work that I do in the south of Namibia,” she shared. “It helped me understand that there are different pieces that can come together, like a puzzle, to hold government and leaders accountable.”

Desiree’s leadership has led to tangible improvements in her community. She has facilitated community dialogues that brought together traditional leaders, church communities and civil society. These conversations are creating safe spaces for discussing human rights and fostering greater acceptance of LGBTI+ individuals. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she successfully advocated for marginalized individuals to be allowed back into clinics after being forced to wait outside. She also lobbied for the reopening of a hospital gate that had been closed due to safety concerns, improving access to healthcare services. 

The #WeBelongAfrica programme has not only enhanced Desiree’s professional capabilities but also contributed to her personal growth. She now envisions a future where her experiences can help build stronger collaborations between civil society and government, leading to more robust protections for sexual and gender minorities.

The #WeBelongAfrica programme is a regional initiative that integrates two UNDP-led projects: the Inclusive Governance Initiative and the Southern Africa Young Key Populations Inclusion Initiative. The programme is designed to support state entities in sub-Saharan Africa to become increasingly accountable and responsive to, and inclusive of, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI+) people and young key populations, which in turn will contribute to better laws, more responsive public sector services, and social norms that affirm these populations’ perspectives, needs and rights. The programme is supported by Sweden and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Mozambique.