Gender-based violence against LGBTQI people in civil society workplaces in Kigali city

This study was conducted by the Living Equality Initiative (LIVEI Rwanda) under the funding of the Advancing Learning and Innovation on Gender Norms (ALIGN). It is an exploratory and mixed methods study that aimed to identify types of gender norms affecting LGBTQI community members among civil society workplace in the Kigali (Rwanda).  

The study targeted 20 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) locate in the three districts of Kigali (Gasabo, Kicukiro and Nyarugenge) and 160 individuals from LGBTQI communities in Kigali to provide their views about gender-based violence (GBV) among LGBTQI people deep-rooted by existing gender norms. 

The findings revealed that discriminatory social and gender norms contribute to the GBV experienced by LGBTQI people within the workplaces of assessed civil-society organisations in Kigali. The most prevalent type of GBV reported is emotional violence (85%), followed by sexual violence (35%). Physical violence is the form of GBV least likely to be experienced. LGBTQI people are subjected to social discrimination, including the denial of employment opportunities on the basis of their gender identity and sexual orientation. 

Member of the LGBTQI community working in the majority of the CSOs assessed in Kigali feel the need to keep their sexual orientation or gender identity a secret to avoid stigmatisation and discriminatory acts, including the risk of dismissal from their jobs. The majority of CSOs have no internal grievance mechanisms or safeguarding policies that integrate provisions on GBV in the workplace. This increases the risks of exposure to discrimination, derogatory language and negative gender stereotypes.