What is UN Trans Advocacy Week?

Summary

Every year, Advocacy Week brings trans activists from around the world to engage in one of the most significant international forums: the . This event is an opportunity to raise aw…Read moreareness of the barriers and discrimination faced by trans and gender diverse people and to promote equality, acceptance, and understanding. Read less

United Nations Trans Advocacy Week (UN TAW) is a collective project by non-governmental organisations, offering trans activists a platform to make their voices heard on a global scale and in international human rights spaces. It’s a chance to bring attention to the challenges and discriminationunequal or unfair treatment which can be based on a range of grounds - such as age, ethnic background, disability, and diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions or sex characteristics, amongst others. More faced by trans and genderrefers to a social construct which places cultural and social expectations on individuals based on their assigned sex. More diverse people and to promote equality, acceptance, and understanding.

Since 2017, UN Trans Advocacy Week has been bringing trans and gender diverse human rights defenders to Geneva, Switzerland, to take part in the UN Human Rights Councilan inter-governmental body within the United Nations which has the responsibility to promote and protect human rights. It is comprised of 47 member States, each elected to 3-year terms by the 193 member States of the United Nations. More during the June/July session.

What is the UN Human Rights Council?

The council is made up of representatives from 47 member countries responsible for promoting and protecting all human rights worldwide. These representatives meet regularly to discuss various topics related to human rights, such as freedom of speech, the right to education, and equality for all people. Find out more information on ILGA World’s website and the UN Human Rights Council (OHCHR) website.

Who is participating in the Trans Advocacy Week?

In June 2024, we will be bringing 16 participants from all regions of the world to the 56th Human Rights Council in Geneva. The following organisations are involved in co-organising UN TAW 2024:

Why is Trans Advocacy Week important for the trans movement?

Trans Advocacy Week is about helping participants enhance their understanding of international advocacy mechanisms. It provides a fundamental opportunity for trans and gender-diverse community leaders to engage in international advocacy. It also delves into ways in which human rights defenders can engage with UN Treaty Bodies and Special Proceduresindependent human rights experts within the UN Human Rights Council with mandates to report and advise on human rights from a thematic or country-specific perspective. They are non-paid and elected for 3-year mandates that can be re-conducted for another three years. Special procedures can undertake country visits, and act on individual cases of reported violations by sending communications to States and others. They also engage in advocacy, raise public awareness, provide advice for technical cooperation, and contribute to the development of international human rights standards.
More, and interact with senior UN officials and Special Procedures mandate holders.

We will support participants in enhancing their understanding of international advocacy mechanisms and identifying ways to strengthen their local advocacy through engaging and interacting with relevant UN bodies and mechanisms.

Do you have any other questions about Trans Advocacy Week? Let us know!