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About Us

United in strength. Rooted in belonging

The African Trans Network (ATN) was established in 2020 as a trans-led, feminist pan-African organization dedicated to advancing trans rights and liberation through intersectional approaches.

We centre trans voices and experiences while coordinating sub-regional networks across Eastern, Western, Northern, Central, and Southern Africa to build a strong and resilient Pan-African Trans Movement.

Our work focuses on challenging gender oppression, advancing trans rights, documenting the lived experiences of Trans persons on the continent, and creating unified spaces for justice, equality, and collective liberation.

Our Vision

A unified and empowered Pan-African Transgender movement that has a collective voice, equal rights, dignity and the freedom to thrive as their authentic selves.

Transgender people thriving in an Africa that is a model for transgender rights globally and recognises that the rich tapestry of gender identities and expressions is a source of strength and pride for the continent.

Our Mission

To strengthen and unite the African Transgender movement through collective advocacy, capacity strengthening, and strategic collaborations while amplifying African transgender voices globally.

Knowledge Building

The ATN collaboratively collates, conducts, shares and supports research on the diverse experiences of transgender communities in Africa, helping bridge critical gaps in data and providing evidence-based tools for advocacy.

The ATN facilitates community-led research, storytelling, and documentation that builds evidence capturing the richness of African trans experiences while providing powerful tools for change. The ATN documents best practices, preserves movement history, and creates multilingual resources that serve advocates across the continent.

Because knowledge is power!

Capacity Strengthening

The ATN supports the development of a sustainable and resilient trans movement in Africa by mapping the capacity of our members, mobilising resources, skills and knowledge sharing, and facilitating collaboration.
The ATN's approach includes organisational development support, leadership training, technical assistance, and peer-to-peer learning exchanges. The ATN strengthens existing networks while supporting the emergence of new ones, always respecting regional autonomy and local leadership.

We empower resilience!

Advocacy

The ATN amplifies trans voices and concerns through strategic engagement at regional and global levels. The ATN engages in media outreach, policy advocacy, campaign coordination, and creates platforms for African trans voices in international forums.

The ATN supports members to strengthen their own advocacy efforts while coordinating collective campaigns that advance trans rights across the continent. The ATN convenes organisations for learning, sharing, and joint action, building the collective power needed for transformative change.

Because representation matters!

Institutional Strengthening

The ATN continues to build itself robust organisational foundations that enable sustainable impact and growth. The ATN develops strong governance systems, establishes financial independence, creates comprehensive policies and procedures, and ensures legal compliance. 

The ATN invests in organisational health while supporting members to strengthen their institutional capacity. The ATN creates strong, accountable, and transparent organisations that provide the infrastructure needed to support communities effectively and advance our shared vision of trans liberation across Africa.

Because strong movements need strong foundations!

Who we are

History

The African Trans Network (ATN) was conceptualised in 2019, following a resolution taken in June at the 7th Changing Faces, Changing Spaces (CFCS) Trans pre-conference (Nairobi, Kenya) hosted by the International Trans Fund (ITF) in partnership with UHAI-EASHRI.

The aim of the Trans Pre-Conference was to create a space for trans activists from across the continent to discuss strengthening trans movement-building in Africa. Initially called the Pan-African Task Force, the African Trans Network (ATN) was formed as one of the critical outcomes of the Trans Pre Conference. Comprised of seven activists representing East, West and Southern Africa, the Task Force was established to strengthen the trans movement in Africa, focusing on “strategising on solutions to the challenges facing trans groups and work to advance the priorities of the region”. The Task Force aimed to serve as a mechanism to increase knowledge and understanding of trans organising across the region, contribute to networking and information flow on the existing trans groups in Africa.

Organisational Structure

The African Trans Network is guided by a robust and inclusive leadership model that ensures our work truly represents trans communities across the African continent. Our structure includes a representative Steering Committee and Secretariat.
This two-tiered approach – with a regionally representative steering committee and a dynamic secretariat – allows us to maintain deep community connections while executing impactful, professional programming that drives meaningful change for trans communities across Africa.

Steering Committee

Our steering committee is the strategic heart of the organization. Composed of dedicated trans leaders from each region of Africa, this committee provides critical guidance, strategic direction, and ensures that our work reflects the diverse experiences of trans communities across the continent. Each regional representative brings unique insights, lived experiences, and a deep commitment to advancing trans rights and visibility.
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Secretariat

Our day-to-day operations are managed by a dedicated secretariat – a professional team that transforms our strategic vision into concrete action. The secretariat implements our research, advocacy, movement-building, and public campaigning initiatives, ensuring that our organization operates with efficiency, creativity, and unwavering commitment to our mission.
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Members

Our membership includes regional and national networks and organisations advocating for transgender rights in their regions.
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East Africa Trans Health and Advocacy Network (EATHAN)
East Africa Trans Health and Advocacy Network is a network of trans*diverse activists and organisations in East Africa with 24 member activist representatives and organisations based in Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda.
The National Transgender Advocacy Network, Kenya (NTAN)

 The National Transgender Advocacy Network is a consortium supporting Transgender, gender diverse, and intersex (TGDI) movements in Kenya through action, freedom, power, and knowledge-building approaches.

The Independent Network of Trans People in Central Africa (RITAC)

The Independent Network of Trans People in Central Africa is a regional network of trans-led organisations and activists in Central Africa. Founded in 2019, it aims to promote trans recognition, freedom, and leadership across the region via advocacy, capacity building, and community empowerment.

The Southern African Trans Forum (SATF)
The Southern African Trans Forum (SATF) was established in 2015 with the mandate of bringing agency and voice to the emerging trans and gender diverse movement in the Southern Africa Region.
Tranz Network Uganda (TNU)

Tranz Network Uganda (TNU) is an indigenous not for profit umbrella organisation for transgender and gender diverse persons organizations in Uganda.

West Africa Trans Forum (WATF)

West Africa Trans Forum (WATF) was founded in June 2017 as a network of Trans * people and/or groups led by Trans, intersex and non-conforming* people whose work requires a strong movement both nationally and regionally.

Funders

Our work is only possible through the generous support of our funders:
Drey Linden, Love Alliance, Robert Carr, Astrea, Wellspring Philanthropy, Uhai, ITF, Other Foundation

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