EKPC statement on Trans Awareness Week and Trans Day of Remembrance

The Eurasian Key Populations Coalition (EKPC) issues this statement to mark Trans Awareness Week (November 13-19) and Trans Day of Remembrance (November 20). These annual observances are critical opportunities for us to amplify the voices of transgender and gender-diverse communities globally, honor lives lost to transphobic violence, and advocate for meaningful systemic changes. As advocates for gender rights and health equity, EKPC is committed to addressing the intersecting crises of transphobia, HIV/AIDS, and marginalization that disproportionately affect transgender individuals, particularly in Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA).

 Trans Awareness Week 2024: A Call for Visibility and Understanding

Trans Awareness Week is a time to celebrate the diversity and resilience of transgender people while bringing attention to the unique challenges they face. In the EECA region, stigma, discrimination, and structural inequalities often overshadow the vibrant contributions of trans individuals to society. EKPC recognizes that visibility is not merely about representation but also about addressing the systemic barriers that prevent trans people from accessing healthcare, employment, and legal protections.

Trans Day of Remembrance 2024: Honoring Lives and Fighting for Justice

Trans Day of Remembrance is a solemn occasion to commemorate the lives lost to anti-trans violence and to reaffirm our commitment to combating transphobia in all its forms. The latest data from TGEU’s Trans Murder Monitoring project (TMM), which reports over 5,000 documented murders of trans people globally, underscores the urgency of this work. In 2024 alone, 350 murders were recorded, including cases from EECA countries. This ongoing violence, fueled by anti-rights movements and insufficient legal protections, demands immediate and sustained action. EKPC uses this platform to highlight the vulnerabilities of trans communities in our region, where rising anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric further endangers lives.

Trans Murder Monitoring Data in EECA Countries

EKPC prioritizes advocacy in Eastern Europe and Central Asia because the region faces distinct challenges that exacerbate the marginalization of transgender people. Deep-rooted stigma, lack of legal gender recognition, and criminalization of LGBTQ+ identities in certain states create a hostile environment. These structural barriers not only increase vulnerability to violence but also undermine access to healthcare, including HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment. By spotlighting these issues, EKPC seeks to build solidarity and drive policy changes that protect and empower transgender communities. TGEU’s Trans Murder Monitoring project reveals a disturbing rise in violence against trans and gender-diverse individuals and the data underscores alarming trends across EECA, where transphobic violence often goes underreported, perpetuating cycles of invisibility and impunity. Below, EKPC spotlight country-specific TMM insights and findings:

Armenia: The intersection of transphobia and socio-political instability has resulted in a precarious environment for trans individuals. While cases remain underreported, anecdotal evidence highlights systemic neglect and targeted violence.

Moldova: Moldovan society continues to grapple with conservative norms, where trans individuals face severe marginalization. The TMM data illustrates the pressing need for comprehensive anti-discrimination frameworks.

Georgia: In Georgia, 2024 saw a significant increase in reported cases of transphobic violence, with hostile public rhetoric and insufficient legal protections exacerbating risks for gender-diverse individuals.

Ukraine: Amid ongoing conflict, trans individuals in Ukraine face heightened vulnerability to violence, with the TMM project documenting multiple instances of brutality targeting gender-diverse individuals.

Belarus: The authoritarian regime’s suppression of civil liberties extends to LGBTQ+ communities. Trans individuals encounter pervasive institutional violence, with minimal recourse to justice.

Russia: Russia recorded an alarming spike in transphobic incidents, reflecting the impact of regressive policies and a deeply entrenched anti-LGBTQ+ agenda. The lack of legal recognition continues to expose trans individuals to systemic oppression.

Kazakhstan: The criminalization of trans visibility, coupled with societal prejudice, contributes to an underreporting of violence against trans individuals. Advocacy efforts remain hindered by restrictive legal frameworks.

Kyrgyzstan: Trans individuals in Kyrgyzstan endure structural violence, exacerbated by cultural stigma and inadequate legal recognition, leading to high rates of social exclusion.

Tajikistan: In Tajikistan, the intersection of poverty, stigma, and insufficient healthcare access amplifies the marginalization of trans communities, leaving them particularly vulnerable to violence.

Call to Action: Addressing Trans Rights and HIV/AIDS 

The EKPC urges collective action to combat transphobic violence and address the intersectional challenges faced by trans communities, particularly in EECA. We propose the following:

1. Civil Society: Strengthen advocacy networks to amplify trans voices and monitor human rights violations with comprehensive, data-driven reports.

2. Donor Organizations: Prioritize funding for grassroots initiatives that provide direct support to trans individuals, particularly those addressing violence and HIV/AIDS. 

3. State Bodies: Implement robust anti-discrimination laws, ensure legal gender recognition, and integrate trans-specific healthcare, including HIV prevention and treatment, into national health strategies. 

4. International Agencies: Elevate trans issues within global human rights frameworks and hold EECA governments accountable for systemic failures in protecting trans individuals. 

5. Trans Communities: Foster solidarity, resilience, and empowerment through capacity-building programs and mutual support initiatives, amplifying collective action against stigma and violence. 

This Trans Awareness Week and Trans Day of Remembrance 2024, we stand united in demanding systemic change, recognizing the resilience of trans communities, and advocating for a future where every individual, regardless of gender identity, can live with dignity, equality, and safety.