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New York, 16 March: At the 59th Session on the Commission of the Status of Women, one of the very few sessions focused on transgender women was hosted by SHE- a social, health and empowerment feminist collective of transgender and intersex women of Africa, which is based in the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa. Leigh Ann Van der Merwe, SHE’s coordinator and founder spoke at the session explaining that the Transilience Project is about the resilience of transwomen in Africa, and the issues SHE advocates for are, by transwomen, with transwomen and for transwomen.
The Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) and collective has conducted a groundbreaking study called the Transilience Report, which SHE will publish in the next few months. The study looks at the experiences of transwomen in South Africa- from violence, discrimination and transphobia, to the structural violence they face, unable to access rights and services guaranteed in the South African Constitution. The report is an intersectional one, investigating the very different lived experiences of transwomen, and how racial, economic and ethnic inequalities intersect with their gender identities.
Van der Merwe said that South Africa is seen by African transwomen as a beacon of hope, but those who seek refuge within its borders are sorely disappointed. “South Africa has a beautiful constitution, but sadly it remains words on a piece of paper.” Van der Merwe explains that in South Africa, transwomen are limited to three possible professions: performing drag, hairdressing or sex work. “We are more than this,” she said, also highlighted that of the 30% of respondents with tertiary qualifications were not employed in the area of work they are qualified.
Using their research, SHE and partners have embarked on developing the African Transfeminist Charter, which not only includes trans-specific issues, but takes a firm stand against ukuthwala or forced early marriage in South Africa, and advocates for full sexual and reproductive health rights for all.
At this year’s CSW, sessions, especially at the high level, on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer (LGBTIQ) rights were scanty and LGBTIQ concerns are not reflected in the CSW Declaration. Over the last 20 years since the Beijing Platform of Action was signed, the area of LGBTIQ has been the most conservative and regressive within CSW. While at least other UN spaces have been a little more progressive with language, resolutions and declarations, CSW is considered the most difficult and hostile spaces to advance LGBTIQ concerns. Some have suggested that New York and the UN headquarters is far more influenced by and accessible to the religious right and other conservative politics in United States.
Despite this dismal reality Van der Merwe urged participants not to lose hope, but to rather celebrate small victories, take lessons learnt back to their countries, and to keep fighting for equality and justice.
Listen to Leigh Ann Van der Merwe’s presentation and a few findings from the Transilience Report.
This podcast is part of the Gender Links News Service special coverage of CSW59 currently underway at the UN headquarters in New York, bringing you fresh views on everyday news.
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