ATFA: Association Togolaise Pour Les Femmes Abandonnées
we take action
We fight for women's rights and against discrimination of homosexual people
Forbidden Colours supports ATFA in its action in Togo, one of several countries in Africa where homosexuality is still punishable by law. This association, which at the time of its creation in 2003 was concerned with the defence of women’s rights, today also fights against the discrimination of homosexual persons who are victims of stigmatisation, mainly in the city of Lomé. Articles 392 and 393 of the Togolese penal code punish homosexuality with a prison sentence of one to three years and a fine of up to 4,500 euros. Togolese LGBTQI+ people are regularly rejected by a population that considers these sexual orientations as unnatural. Thus these people are forced not to display their identity freely and are forced to live their relationships clandestinely. If this relationship is discovered or even denounced, those involved are subjected to discrimination, stigmatisation and violence.
A shelter has now been created to welcome these people excluded from their homes, to offer them protection and professional training. Forbidden Colours is proud to be able to support this project, which will be completed by the end of 2021.
