Kashindi Shabani Gady is an LGBTIQ+ activist in Africa, specifically the Democratic Republic of Congo; their work is essential in a country that does not protect its LGBTIQ+ citizens due to their sexual and gender identities.
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LGBTIQ+ activism is needed in every part of the world; activism varies from one region to another depending on the local needs. In some part of the world, being an LGBTIQ+ activist is a risk some people are willing to make for the well-being of their community.
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Kashindi Shabani Gady's (They/Them/Their) journey in activism started in Ireland in the 1990s where they worked with a variety of NGOs where they learnt “how to support vulnerable people with healthcare, security, shelter and emotional support”. Following their return to the DRC in 2017, they started working for Savi Asbl NGO LGBT PGEL, an NGO whose aim is to give support to LGBTIQ+ people and, particularly through increasing LGBTIQ+ inclusivity in the workplace. The organisation assists local LGBTIQ+ communities in health, education, media campaign as well as fundraising. Today, they work now as Executive Secretary of the NGO, making them an important person for the community in Bukavu, the capital city of the South-Kivu province (East of DRC) where it remains difficult to be a humanitarian.