UN Trans Advocacy Week (TAW) is an international advocacy initiative run by six partners: Transgender Europe (TGEU); The Swedish Federation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex Rights (RFSL); Global Action for Trans Equality (GATE); the Asia-Pacific Transgender Network (APTN); East Africa Trans Health and Advocacy Network (EATHAN); and the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA World). Since 2017, TAW has brought trans and gender diverse community leaders to UN spaces in Geneva to engage in international advocacy, delve into ways in which human rights defenders can engage with UN Treaty Bodies and Special Procedures, and interact with senior UN officials and Special Procedures mandate holders.
For 2024, the partners are delighted to launch a public call to select participants for the 8th edition of TAW, which will take place physically in Geneva, Switzerland, during the 56th Regular Session of the UN Human Rights Council. This call is aimed at trans and gender diverse human rights defenders with interest 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.
The programme for participants will include workshops on UN Treaty Bodies, Special Procedures, and UPR Processes, as well as providing opportunities to make statements at Human Rights Council sessions and take part in closed-door meetings with senior officials, including Special Procedures mandate holders. Participating in the UN Trans Advocacy Week will empower you with valuable knowledge and practical skills to champion the rights of trans communities, advance sustainable development, and gain insight into international law and mechanisms. This engagement will not only enhance your comprehension of global interactions and interconnections among nations but also deepen your awareness of the pressing global issues and contemporary challenges intertwined with the well-being of trans communities. By actively engaging in this opportunity, you can fortify your role as an agent of positive change, amplify your voice as a dedicated advocate for your community, and catalyze tangible, transformative impacts.
Are you a passionate trans or gender diverse human rights defender looking for an opportunity to increase your engagement with UN human rights mechanisms in an international setting? If so, we welcome your application to attend TAW 2024!
We encourage applications from trans and gender diverse people with multiple, intersectional identities, including (but not limited to) Black, indigenous, and Latinx people and people of color, D/deaf and disabled people, people from a migrant background, and sex workers, as well as applicants from Global South countries. Gender and geographical balance will be taken into account when selecting the applications.
A note on translation:
This application has been prepared in English, French, Spanish, and Russian. Nevertheless, in line with efforts towards language justice, you are invited to use translation services (such as Google translate or Deepl.com) to translate this application form and questions into your preferred language. The TAW team will then use similar translation services to translate your application. If selected, you will be provided interpretation for the entirety of TAW 2024.
If selected, here are the roles & responsibilities in the lead up to TAW 2024:
- Attend 2 calls over the next months for training & planning for TAW 2024
- In the month leading up to TAW 2024, roughly 2 hours a week for calls and planning
- Assign time for logistical planning – roughly 15 hours between selection and attendance
To submit an application, please complete this application form.
Apply for TAW: https://forms.gle/VvcLMhjCHxUfyxtVA
The process of submission will take approximately 30 minutes. Please answer all questions. All applicants will be notified of the outcome. The deadline to apply is 10 December 2023.