Introducing: UN Trans Advocacy Week 2023

The seventh edition of the United Nations Trans Advocacy Week [TAW] will take place in June-July 2023. This year, we are delighted to returning to host the event in person in Geneva!

What is UN Transadjective/umbrella term to describe a person whose gender identity does not match the sex they were assigned at birth. More Advocacy Week?

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 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 gender-diverse people, and to promote equality, acceptance, and understanding.

Since 2017, UN Trans Advocacy Week (UN TAW) 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 the promotion and protection of all human rights around the globe. 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 UN Human Rights’s Council (OHCHR) website.

Who is participating in the Trans Advocacy Week?

From 2020 – 2022, in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, Trans Advocacy Week was held virtually. However, this year we are delighted to be hosting the TAW in person once again, with 14 participants coming from Africa, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Central Asia, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, and Latin America and the Caribbean.

United Nations Trans Advocacy Week 2023 is being co-organised by the following organisations:

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, delve 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.

Participants are supported 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!