Call for Membership and Collaboration Afghanistan Rainbow Path Network

Afghanistan Rainbow Path Network

Following the return of the Taliban to power in August 2021, the LGBTIQA+ community in Afghanistan has faced severe risks, including violence, arbitrary detention, public punishments, familial threats, social exclusion, and deprivation of essential support. Many individuals within this community have been forced to live in secrecy, constantly relocate, or leave their homes entirely to protect their safety and lives.

Despite extensive international attention to human rights in Afghanistan, the lived experiences and realities of Afghan LGBTIQA+ individuals remain largely absent from many reports, international meetings, and programs related to Afghanistan. In numerous documents, even when “vulnerable groups” are mentioned, the LGBTIQA+ community is rarely explicitly named. Consequently, the needs, risks, and demands of this community are frequently overlooked in policy-making and international support initiatives.

Furthermore, among many civil society organizations within Afghanistan, discussions on discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity have often been met with silence or caution. The absence of systematic research, limited spaces for dialogue, and fragmented civil efforts have resulted in very limited knowledge and awareness about the situation of the Afghan LGBTIQA+ community.

In response to this context, Rainbow Afghanistan Organization, composed of members of the Afghan LGBTIQA+ community, has initiated the creation of the Afghanistan Rainbow Path Network.

The Afghanistan Rainbow Path Network has been established as a platform for collaboration and solidarity, aiming to facilitate communication and cooperation among organizations, civil society actors, researchers, media, and human rights defenders. The network’s goal is to strengthen public awareness, expand research, and advance advocacy regarding the rights and situation of Afghan LGBTIQA+ individuals.

Through collaborative engagement and joint participation, the Afghanistan Rainbow Path Network seeks to amplify the voice of the Afghan LGBTIQA+ community and draw the attention of civil society and international actors to the challenges and needs of this community.

Why is this network important?

Currently, efforts to address the situation of the Afghan LGBTIQA+ community are often fragmented and uncoordinated. The absence of a shared platform for collaboration has resulted in:

·       Limited sharing of information and experiences among organizations and researchers

·       Very few reliable, evidence-based studies and data on the topic

·       Lack of a unified and coordinated voice at the international level

·       Restricted collaboration between Afghan organizations and international actors

The Afghanistan Rainbow Path Network has been established to fill this gap, providing a space for structured collaboration, knowledge exchange, and coordinated joint actions.

Objectives of the Network

The Afghanistan Rainbow Path Network operates with the following objectives:

• To counter social stigma, taboos, and discrimination against the LGBTIQA+ community in Afghanistan.
• To raise awareness and understanding among Afghan organizations, institutions, and civil society.
• To strengthen and expand equality-oriented cooperation networks at both national and international levels.
• To establish a collaborative platform for projects, campaigns, research, and joint initiatives.
• To organize online coordination meetings and form specialized working groups.

Network Charter

For a deeper understanding of the principles and framework of cooperation underpinning this initiative, the Afghanistan Rainbow Path Network Charter is available in the following formats:

• Afghanistan Rainbow Path Network Charter – English version
• Afghanistan Rainbow Path Network Charter – Dari version

Who Can Join?

The Afghanistan Rainbow Path Network welcomes participation from a wide range of institutions, organizations, and individuals committed to human rights and equality, including:

• International organizations active in the field of human rights.
• Afghan civil society organizations.
• International organizations working on LGBTIQA+ rights.
• International networks focused on gender, equality, and human rights.
• Researchers, academics, and scientific or research institutions.
• Media outlets, journalists, and reporters.
• Activists and human rights defenders.

How to Join the Network

Institutions, organizations, researchers, and activists interested in collaborating within this network can submit their membership application via the following link:

Membership Application Form Link

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdqne1eoPzsBao5nMHfnCU_COsRaDfaKwpi9oKE_Qg0MWCxTQ/viewform

If you encounter any difficulties while completing the application form, or if you have questions regarding the Afghanistan Rainbow Path Network, you can contact us via the following email address:

Contact Email Address

team@rainbowafghanistan.com