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Companions on a Journey

Companions on a Journey (Conaj) began in 1995 as a group of individuals concerned about issues of discrimination against persons of alternative sexual identities. ConaJ aims to contribute towards creating space and an environment where society will accept, respect and support people with alternative sexualities (gays, bisexuals, lesbians and transgenders) to live in freedom and dignity. As the first gay organisation in Sri Lanka,for many years Conaj has worked as a pioneer on the issue, conducting an uphill struggle in a society with deeply rooted socio-cultural and religious values that rejects homosexuality. Like many LGBT organisations in countries where discrimination of LGBT people is strong, Conaj has combined its programmes for LGBT with work on HIV/AIDS. The main activities of ConaJ include: operating a 'Drop-In Centre' where counselling and peer support takes place; lobbying for the repeal of discriminatory sections of the Sri Lankan Penal Code; undertaking general public awareness and education about people of alternative sexualities and people living with HIV/AIDS; distributing culturally sensitive safer sex messages; and developing collaborative relationships with people living with HIV/AIDS as well as with relevant CBOs, NGOs and government agencies. An external evaluation held in 2006 has pointed to a number of characteristics and achievements of Conaj. A great merit is that it has works with gay people and PLWHA communities from the socio-economically disadvantaged segments of society. Although much remains to be done with respect to legal reforms, Conaj has made the issue of homosexuality visible and more acceptable in Sri Lanka. It has created space for LGBTs to express themselves and has paved the way to discuss sexuality issues within a broader context of human rights. Conaj stood at the birth of the organisation of PLWHAs, Lanka+, and the National AIDS Coalition. From Conaj other LGBT groups emerged. Throughout the years Conaj has linked up with LGBT organisations at the regional and international levels too. Conaj has nine staff and 35 volunteers. It has a working committee of 14 members (9 staff members and 5 area representatives). It has an advisory board of 9 members, 5 women and 4 men. Hivos has supported Conaj since 1996, for its aims to empower discriminated sexual minorities in Sri Lanka and for its pioneering nature. Hivos continues to do so because Conaj is still the most important reference point for LGBT issues, nationally and regionally, and renews itself in order to increase the effectiveness of its empowerment and advocacy efforts.

Type organisatie	Social movement
Werkveld	Human Rights & Democratisation
Land	Sri Lanka
Opgericht	1994
Hivos partner sinds	1996

Promotion of the Rights of LGBT People, 2007-2008

DAC-sectors:	Human rights Strengthening civil society Reproductive and sexual health (BSS)
Location:	Colombo, Sri Lanka
Beneficiary:	indigenous peoples, ethnic/religious/cultural minorities
activity	Organisational development and alliance building
Direct outreach	50 - Intermediary level
Indirect outreach	500 - Intermediary level
activity	Legal and policy advocacy on Human Rghts and LGBT Rights
Direct outreach	100 - Policy level/ institutional
Indirect outreach	1000 - Policy level/ institutional
activity	Empowerment through counselling and service delivery
Direct outreach	200 - Intermediary level
Indirect outreach	1500 - Beneficiaries: poor and/or marginalised women and men
activity	Training and public education
Direct outreach	500 - Intermediary level
Indirect outreach	750000 - Policy level/ public opinion
Contract total:	132.000
Contractperiod:	01-01-2007 until 31-12-2008

Description:
The present project is a continuation of the support from Hivos in the previous years and, at the same time, a direct response to the recommendations of the external evaluation held in 2006. The evaluation has pointed to visible achievements of Conaj, but has also revealed some weaknesses which need to be overcome if Conaj wishes to enhance its strength and impact. The project consists of two components. The first is aimed at a strengthened organisational structure and improved management mechanisms, brought about by a comprehensive strategic planning and programming exercise, followed by a structured monitoring and feed-back process during two years. Professional assistance is provided by MDF South Asia. The second component constitutes the content of Conaj's programmes, which are being monitored and improved during their implementation. The programmes cover: 1) Rights promotion through the facilitation of research on the Human Rights of LGBTs, information dissemination through publications and workshops, and advocacy on legislation and government policies; 2) Strengthening the LGBT movement in Sri Lanka, and building linkages with national and international partners as well as other rights-oriented organisations; 3) Service and information delivery in the drop-in centres, counselling and peer support, cultural and human interest support, and legal assistance; 4) Hiv/Aids related services, which includes running the Aids Hotline, outreach and Hiv prevention work, and care for PLWHA. As a result of the planning process, well defined expected outcomes and indicators will be available by the end of 2007. Yet, among those present at the moment, in more qualitative terms are the following: 1) The inclusion of MSM and LGBT concerns in the National AIDS policy, and participation of PLWHA in the formulation of this policy; 2) Well-functioning drop-in centres in Colombo and Kandy, with extended safe space for debates on sexuality and provided with documentation useful for the LGBT community as well as the wider public; 3) Mention of MSM and LGBT within a human rights perspective in charters and publications of human rights institutions like the Human Rights Commission, the Legal Aid Commission and prominent human rights NGOs; 4) Identification of a solid group of lawyers for LGBT people to refer to; and 5) Six strengthened key focal points for LGBT throughout the country which can rely on the support of well-trained persons.

Description:

The present project is a continuation of the support from Hivos in the previous years and, at the same time, a direct response to the recommendations of the external evaluation held in 2006. The evaluation has pointed to visible achievements of Conaj, but has also revealed some weaknesses which need to be overcome if Conaj wishes to enhance its strength and impact. The project consists of two components. The first is aimed at a strengthened organisational structure and improved management mechanisms, brought about by a comprehensive strategic planning and programming exercise, followed by a structured monitoring and feed-back process during two years. Professional assistance is provided by MDF South Asia. The second component constitutes the content of Conaj's programmes, which are being monitored and improved during their implementation. The programmes cover: 1) Rights promotion through the facilitation of research on the Human Rights of LGBTs, information dissemination through publications and workshops, and advocacy on legislation and government policies; 2) Strengthening the LGBT movement in Sri Lanka, and building linkages with national and international partners as well as other rights-oriented organisations; 3) Service and information delivery in the drop-in centres, counselling and peer support, cultural and human interest support, and legal assistance; 4) Hiv/Aids related services, which includes running the Aids Hotline, outreach and Hiv prevention work, and care for PLWHA.
As a result of the planning process, well defined expected outcomes and indicators will be available by the end of 2007. Yet, among those present at the moment, in more qualitative terms are the following: 1) The inclusion of MSM and LGBT concerns in the National AIDS policy, and participation of PLWHA in the formulation of this policy; 2) Well-functioning drop-in centres in Colombo and Kandy, with extended safe space for debates on sexuality and provided with documentation useful for the LGBT community as well as the wider public; 3) Mention of MSM and LGBT within a human rights perspective in charters and publications of human rights institutions like the Human Rights Commission, the Legal Aid Commission and prominent human rights NGOs; 4) Identification of a solid group of lawyers for LGBT people to refer to; and 5) Six strengthened key focal points for LGBT throughout the country which can rely on the support of well-trained persons.

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