In a world filled with challenges and inequalities, there are individuals who stand up, take action and become beacons of hope for those in need. This article explores the remarkable journey of an organization dedicated to better the lives of the LGBTQIA+ community in Malawi and a conversation with its executive director, Eric Sambisa.
Whether or not you’ve come across this name in your life, it is a name you should take note of from this day forward. Why? One would ask…he is the
executive director of Nyasa Rainbow Alliance which was birthed in a dorm room with a few individuals who had a big dream for the LGBTQIA+ community in Malawi.
The mission of NRA is best known as, “advancing a nation where everyone is well informed and aware of human rights, especially of LGBTQIA+ people, to enable them to participate in all spheres of life freely,” and their vision is, ” a Malawi nation where LGBTI rights are acknowledged,
protected, and respected. The mission and vision was revised during drafting of 2023/2028 strategic plan.
NRA successfully organized a parade in 2021 during June global pride month which was the first of its kind in Malawi and it was held in Lilongwe and included LGBTQIA+ people and allies. This gave NRA hope as they delivered a petition to City Council for the rights of queer people.
Sambisa explains that as NRA, they want to see LGBTQIA+ people treated as respectfully as any other individuals in this country and not as secondary citizens which is the reality at the moment.
He added that he would like to also see the laws that criminalizes consensual sexual relations between adults repelled by the government.
In the upcoming year, one of the key focus is that NRA would like to dedicate its time and resources on uplifting the lives of LGBTQIA+ people which has been in the works but lacked funding. While knowing that the voices of those in economically advantaged countries are louder, NRA
would like to be heard by society and government through their planned projects.
Sambisa’s words to the public is that, “LGBTQIA+ people are just as human as everyone else, they breathe the same air, they require the same human rights which are being enjoyed by any other citizen in Malawi.” He adds to say that people in the community are not looking for special services or treatment.
One highlight that Sambisa has noted in conversations about LGBTQIA+ people is that the conversation always drives to the intimate lives of the people in the community. He would like to let it be known that being part of LGBTQIA+ is more than just about intimacy, it is a community of human beings that have the same, if not more, challenges as ordinary citizens of this country.
The last words from Sambisa is that, “let us respect our regional and international treaties that respect human rights and let us practice as we preach about loving our neighbor as we love ourselves without boundaries and discrimination of any kind.”