Gift Trapence

Last updated
Gift Trapence
Citizenship Malawi
Occupation Human rights activist
Organization(s)Centre for the Development of People (CEDEP), Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC)
Known for LGBTQ+ rights advocacy, Pro-democracy activism

Gift Trapence is a Malawian human rights defender. He is the executive director of the Centre for the Development of People (CEDEP), an organisation advocating for the rights of marginalised communities, including LGBTQ+ individuals. [1] Trapence also serves as the chairperson of the Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC), a national network of human rights organizations in Malawi. [2]

Contents

Activism and career

Trapence, as executive director of the Centre for the Development of People (CEDEP), advocates for the rights of LGBTQI+ individuals in Malawi, where same-sex relations are criminalised. [3] Under Trapence's leadership, CEDEP supports marginalised communities through resources and representation. [4]

Trapence also chairs the Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC), an organization in Malawi's human rights and governance landscape. The HRDC has led protests against corruption, impunity, and electoral irregularities. [5] Following the disputed 2019 Malawian presidential election, Trapence and the HRDC organised demonstrations demanding electoral justice. These protests contributed to the Constitutional Court's annulment of the election results and the order for a new election in 2020. [6]

Trapence's activism has put him at personal risk. He has faced threats, harassment, and arrest. In March 2020, police arrested him and other Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) leaders, accusing them of inciting violence. [7] The charges were later dropped. Organisations like Front Line Defenders and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) have documented his legal challenges, highlighting the difficulties activists face in the country. [8]

Publications

Trapence has contributed to research and publications focusing on human rights, HIV/AIDS, and the challenges faced by key populations in Malawi. [9]

References

  1. ↑ "Gift Trapence, "People are targeted because of who they are, not what they are doing"". www.thenewhumanitarian.org. 2010-04-07. Retrieved 2025-07-12.
  2. ↑ "Malawi Police Under Fire for Inaction on Political Violence". allAfrica.com. 2025-06-19. Retrieved 2025-07-12.
  3. ↑ Smith, David; Mapondera, Godfrey (2012-05-18). "Malawi president vows to legalise homosexuality". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 2025-07-12.
  4. ↑ "Gift Trapence, "People are targeted because of who they are, not what they are doing"". www.thenewhumanitarian.org. 2010-04-07. Retrieved 2025-07-12.
  5. ↑ "Malawi Anti-bribery Protests Draw Thousands". Voice of America. 2020-01-16. Retrieved 2025-07-12.
  6. ↑ "Malawi Anti-bribery Protests Draw Thousands". Voice of America. 2020-01-16. Retrieved 2025-07-12.
  7. ↑ "Gift Trapence". Front Line Defenders. 2019-07-15. Retrieved 2025-07-12.
  8. ↑ "Authorities escalate crackdown with arrests of rights activists". Amnesty International. 2020-03-09. Retrieved 2025-07-12.
  9. ↑ Mpunga, Elizabeth; Persaud, Navindra; Akolo, Christopher; Boyee, Dorica; Kamanga, Gift; Trapence, Gift; Chilongozi, David; Ruberintwari, Melchiade; Masankha Banda, Louis (2021-10-27). "Readiness for Use of HIV Preexposure Prophylaxis Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Malawi: Qualitative Focus Group and Interview Study". JMIR Public Health and Surveillance. 7 (10): e26177. doi: 10.2196/26177 . ISSN   2369-2960. PMC   8581750 . PMID   34228627.
  10. ↑ Baral, Stefan; Trapence, Gift; Motimedi, Felistus; Umar, Eric; Iipinge, Scholastika; Dausab, Friedel; Beyrer, Chris (2009-03-26). "HIV Prevalence, Risks for HIV Infection, and Human Rights among Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM) in Malawi, Namibia, and Botswana". PLOS ONE. 4 (3): e4997. Bibcode:2009PLoSO...4.4997B. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0004997 . ISSN   1932-6203. PMC   2657212 . PMID   19325707.
  11. ↑ Wirtz, Andrea L.; Kamba, Dunker; Jumbe, Vincent; Trapence, Gift; Gubin, Rehana; Umar, Eric; Strömdahl, Susanne K.; Beyrer, Chris; Baral, Stefan D. (2014-06-03). "A qualitative assessment of health seeking practices among and provision practices for men who have sex with men in Malawi". BMC International Health and Human Rights. 14 (1): 20. doi: 10.1186/1472-698X-14-20 . ISSN   1472-698X. PMC   4049421 . PMID   24893654.
  12. ↑ Fay, Heather; Baral, Stefan D.; Trapence, Gift; Motimedi, Felistus; Umar, Eric; Iipinge, Scholastika; Dausab, Friedel; Wirtz, Andrea; Beyrer, Chris (2011-08-01). "Stigma, Health Care Access, and HIV Knowledge Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Malawi, Namibia, and Botswana" . AIDS and Behavior. 15 (6): 1088–1097. doi:10.1007/s10461-010-9861-2. ISSN   1573-3254. PMID   21153432.
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