Trans Advocacy Week 2026: Trans and gender-diverse leaders drive change at the United Nations
- Transadjective/umbrella term to describe a person whose gender identity does not match the sex they were assigned at birth. More Advocacy Week is a yearly initiative that amplifies trans activists’ activism in United Nationsan international organisation comprising 193 member States. It has the mission of maintaining peace and security, protecting human rights, providing humanitarian aid and ensuring economic and social development across the globe. It is a network of many different bodies and agencies, each of which has a particular role and responsibility. More spaces
- Now in its tenth iteration, Trans Advocacy Week has supported more than 60 trans and gender-diverse activists since 2017
- In 2026, Trans Advocacy Week will focus on freedom of association and democratic backsliding
Trans Advocacy Week is a vital initiative at a time when trans people are often talked about but rarely listened to.
Each year, from June to July, a coalition of civil society organisations supports trans activists in amplifying their voices at the United Nations, one of the world’s most influential human rights spaces.
Since 2017, more than 60 trans and gender-diverse activists have engaged with the United Nations in Geneva during Trans Advocacy Week.
What is UN Trans Advocacy Week?
During United Nations Trans Advocacy Week, trans activists have the opportunity to speak directly to global decision-makers.
Through this initiative, trans and gender-diverse people address 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 they face with those who need to hear it most: world leaders, politicians and other decision-makers. This drives action towards greater equality, acceptance and understanding.
Most of us wish to go through life living openly and freely, as our true selves.
But today, all over the world, trans and genderrefers to a social construct which places cultural and social expectations on individuals based on their assigned sex. More diverse people face more discrimination, are more likely to be unemployed, and experience more barriers to higher education than the general public.
These factors make it almost impossible for trans and gender-diverse people to access international advocacy spaces such as the United Nations.
UN Trans Advocacy Week bridges this gap by opening UN spaces up to trans activists, particularly those from underrepresented regions such as the Global South and East.
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 (HRC) meets regularly to discuss and address global human rights issues. It is responsible for investigating human rights violations and for making recommendations to improve the protection of human rights worldwide.
The council comprises representatives from 47 Member States, tasked with promoting and safeguarding human rights globally. For more information, visit ILGA World’s resources on the HRC or the official UN Human Rights Council website.
Key topics for Trans Advocacy Week 2026
UN Trans Advocacy Week 2026 will focus on critical issues affecting trans communities globally, including:
- Freedom of association: We will examine how protecting civil society organisations and civic spaces is crucial for trans people to be able to truly exercise their rights
- Democratic backsliding: We will analyse how the instrumentalisation of trans and gender-diverse people and attacks on gender equality serve as a gateway to wider assaults on democratic governance and multilateral human rights systems.
Why is Trans Advocacy Week important?
Trans Advocacy Week empowers activists with the knowledge and experience to navigate international human rights mechanisms.
Participants receive training in United Nations advocacy, deliver statements to the Human Rights Council, connect with other trans and gender-diverse activists, and meet with representatives of United Nations member States to lobby directly on pressing issues that trans people face in their countries.
Because of this experience, community leaders can strengthen local advocacy efforts through direct engagement with United Nations bodies and mechanisms and contribute to international dialogue and policy change.
Who is participating?
In June 2026, we will be bringing 14 participants from all regions of the world to Geneva for the 62nd Human Rights Council session.
UN Trans Advocacy Week is co-organised by:
During Trans Advocacy Week, trans and gender-diverse voices drive change at the highest levels, advancing equality and human rights for all.
