Background:
In Sudan, LGBTIQ+ people face extreme legal, social, and institutional discrimination. Same-sex relationships are criminalised, and Article 148 of the Penal Code permits imprisonment, flogging, or even the death penalty for consensual same-sex acts. As a result, LGBTIQ+ individuals avoid healthcare services out of fear of violence, arrest, or humiliation. A needs assessment showed that over 80% of respondents lacked reliable information on sexual health, and many reported unsafe practices and unmet needs in SRHR services due to stigma and ignorance—both among healthcare providers and within the community itself.

About the project:
The It’s My Right! initiative aimed to empower LGBTIQ+ individuals in Sudan by increasing awareness of their health rights and access to services. The team conducted a comprehensive desk review of health policies and patients’ rights within Sudan’s legal framework and created a simplified, accessible “Pathway Document” in Sudanese Arabic and English. This was shared via online platforms, alongside articles, videos, and infographics on sexual and reproductive health and patient confidentiality. The project also piloted peer education activities to strengthen internal community capacity.

Results:
The project created Sudan’s first LGBTIQ+-focused, rights-based health information platform, offering a safe and anonymous digital space for learning and engagement. Knowledge assessments showed that participants improved their understanding of patients’ rights, which is expected to reduce fear and improve health-seeking behaviour over time