Southern Youth Trans Initiatives (SYTI) was founded in 2019 by a collective of transgender individuals with a vision to address the unique challenges faced by the transgender community in the southern zone. While currently unregistered, SYTI strives to provide essential support and advocacy for transgender individuals who often face migration to urban centers due to the lack of services and acceptance in their local communities. Our mission is rooted in the belief that everyone, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation, deserves the opportunity to live authentically and flourish without fear of discrimination. We aim to create a more inclusive society by advocating for policy changes, fostering community engagement, and promoting access to healthcare services, including sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) education. Our ultimate goal is to combat stigma, discrimination, and the spread of HIV/AIDS and STIs among transgender individuals in Tanzania’s southern zone, while striving for greater recognition and respect for the transgender community as a whole.

SYTI receives funding support from the Black Feminist Fund through our Solidarity Fund.