Kondwani Chapola
২৪ অক্টো, ২০২৫
Session summary
Malawi has become an increasingly hostile environment for LGBTQ+ individuals, where systemic discrimination is perpetuated by political leaders, religious institutions, and social media platforms. This session will examine the structural oppression LGBTQ+ people face in Malawi, exploring the forces actively working to undermine their human rights. Recent visits by Malawian Members of Parliament, led by the Speaker, to Uganda, where they praised the Ugandan Parliament for passing the Anti-Homosexuality Law, have fuelled a wave of homophobia across the region. Religious leaders actively protest against LGBTQ+ rights, and any positive court ruling for LGBTQ+ individuals is often met with mass protests aimed at reversing justice. Social media has become a battleground where misinformation thrives, escalating hate, discrimination, and violence. These challenges manifest in tangible harm. LGBTQI+ individuals are subjected to bullying, stigma, and a lack of support at all levels of Malawian schools, with studies showing that over 80% of LGBTQ+ students in Malawi face harassment, leading to high dropout rates and limited access to economic opportunities. Family rejection, often rooted in religious and cultural beliefs, leaving many homeless and vulnerable. The legal system also fails to protect LGBTQ+ people, with law enforcement frequently manipulating cases to ensure that they do not receive fair treatment. Through real-life testimonies, personal experiences, and available data, this session will shed light on these urgent issues. I will share the journeys of Malawian LGBTQ+ advocates, discussing the challenges of working in a country where even politicians fear supporting our cause due to the risk of losing votes. We will also explore advocacy pathways, resilience strategies, and ways to challenge institutionalised oppression.
Biography
Kondwani was born and raised in Malawi. He holds a BA in Business Management, a Certificate in HIV Testing and Counselling, an Advanced Human Rights Course on Sexual Minority Rights in Africa, an Advanced Short Course on Advocacy and Reproductive Justice in Africa, Civic Leadership from YALI Regional Leadership Centre, and a Certificate in Global LGBTQ+ Human Rights Campaigner Training. Kondwani works with Community Health Rights Advocacy (CHeRA), an organisation that defends and advocates for the health and rights of the LGBTQ+ and Male Sex Workers community in Malawi. He also volunteers as a Human Rights Researcher with ReportOUT and serves as the Strategic Communications Officer for the Key Population Transnational Collaboration (KP-TNC) in Africa. Kondwani is passionate about SRHR, health, and human rights advocacy, especially for the LGBTQ+ community. He enjoys reading, music, and community volunteerism.
