Africa

It is legalized homophobia, not same-sex relations, that is alien to Africa. But in fact, Africa is made up of thousands of ethnic groups with rich and diverse cultures and sexualities.

Two girl friends: every weekend they talking, drinking and laughing together. But one of them is scared. She has these feelings that she couldn't explain. A short story.

The live he lives is slowly killing him. His extended familiy thinks he has a mystery girlfriend. But that's not true. He loves men. And confides this in a letter to his parents.

The journey to equality and non-discrimination for LGBTIQ persons in Africa has been a roller coaster in 2014. How did the lifes for lesbians, gays, bisexuals, trans* and inter*persons change in 2014? Where are the struggles? Where is progress?

In our interview Jim Chuchu, director of the film "The Stories of Our Lives" and Njoki Ngumi (screenplay) explain their motivation to realize the film. 

Despite South Africa’s Constitution of 1996 being considered one of the most advanced worldwide, the LGBTI community in South Africa faces violence, harassment, intimidation and hate crimes. With numerous projects, the Heinrich Böll Foundation seeks to improve the situation of the LGBTI community in South Africa.

As a reaction to the violation of human rights during the elections in 200/2002 many countries sanctioned Zimbabwe and its president Mugabe. However nowadays, it seems that these sanctions are rather aiding Mugabe than harming him.

Being queer is still a stigma in Kenya and leads to social invisibility. With his Book "Invisible" the Kenyan author Kevin Mwachiro challenges the myths about alternative ways of love and living.

In the Horn and East African region, there are many conflicts over natural resources at community and even national levels. The bigger part arises from deficient water supply and pasture for livestock.

In the Horn and East African region many conflicts arise over natural resources at community and even national level. Only a policy and legal framework could ensure protection of all the citizens' rights.

Building and keeping peace is intrinsically tied to disarmament and arms control. Thus international trade and flow of weapons needs to be monitored when human rights and security are endangered.

The influence of women in positions of leadership emerged as a priority theme during the three-day peer exchange for 30 women leaders from across East and Horn of Africa hosted by the Heinrich Böll Foundation Nairobi in September. The Foundation has picked up this theme for a Virtual Conference taking place on 28th to 30th October 2013.

As the 2013 Zimbabwean elections are rapidly approaching, Zimbabwean feminist Rutendo Hadebe contemplates about issues of identity and how to create a Zimbabwe that is inclusive of all.

On the 31st of July 2013, Zimbabwe held its seventh presidential election. Robert Mugabe leading the Zimbabwe African National Unity (Patriotic Front), ZANU PF, has contested every one of them in his 33 years in power.

"It is not enough for a court to just produce legal debates in the courtroom, and to be ignored in the management of massive violence." In her lecture, Fatou Bensouda, chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), comments on the achievements and challenges of an international criminal justice system.

The Heinrich Böll Foundation will close its office in Ethopia. Under the current political and legal circumstances, the office cannot, in the foreseeable future, fulfil its mission of promoting democratisation, gender justice and sustainable development.

What were the expectations for COP 17 in Durban in 2011 and what does it mean for COP 18? The climate summit was hosted 2011 by South Africa which is located in a region that stands to be tremendously affected by climate change. This year participants of the summit in Doha must find a solution for financing adaptation as well as making the Green Climate Fund operational. 

The Arab world has witnessed uprisings from its youth, who are demanding more democratic governance systems, and particularly social justice, which implies both economic and environmental justice. But those regimes remain unaware of the power of the youth, who can deliver solutions for climate change.

In the wake of the Arab Spring, G8 countries and other nations have pledged major sums to stabilize the region. These financial and economic support packages could also fail to stabilize the region. Successfully managing the wide range of risks involved in the region requires addressing vulnerabilities directly in order to turn what will be a low-carbon and resource-constrained future from a risk into an opportunity. 

The Middle East and North Africa region is particularly vulnerable to climate change because of its already scarce water resources, the high levels of aridity, and the long coastal stretch. Adaptation to the impacts of climate change must start from now to build up the resilience of the affected countries and communities within.