We spoke to Karam, communication officer of Mawjoudin. We talked about the work the organization does in Tunisia, the increased visibility of Tunisia in recent years surrounding queer activism, the importance of not relying solely on western media to gain understanding of in-country issues faced by the LGBTQI+ community, and more.
From Karam:
“WHO ARE WE?
MAWJOUDIN WE EXIST is an officially registered not-for-profit NGO that is based in Tunisia, and works towards achieving equality, human rights, bodily rights and sexual rights for the LGBTQI+ community and other marginalized groups and individuals through advocacy, documentation, capacity building, awareness-raising, safe spaces and lobbying.
Our approach is inclusive, as we adopt a decentralised approach in our work, to include people coming from different backgrounds, age groups, genders, sexual orientations and different cities and remote areas across Tunisia.
Our main aim is to promote diversity and non-discrimination to combat oppression. We are dedicated to defending the rights of LGBTQI+ individuals so that they can live openly in a culture that respects and values their dignity.
Our vision is to spread human rights culture to be able to live in a society where discrimination on the basis of SOGIESC* do not exist, and to be able to live in a society that promotes integrity, dignity, celebrates difference and where love, identity and expression are not crimes.”