Kano, a state known for its strong religious and cultural identity, has become a focal point of controversy with the emergence of the Women Initiative for Sustainable Empowerment and Equality (WISE).
WISE, the first NGO in the region to explicitly advocate for lesbian, bisexual, and queer (LBQ+) rights, is a successor organization to Women Action for Gender Equality (WAGE).
WISE Logo
Despite operating in a region with a strict Shariah legal system that prescribes harsh penalties for same-sex relationships, WISE aims to challenge societal norms and empower LBQ+ individuals.
About the WISE
Led by Executive Director Nnedinma Ulanmo, WISE pioneers efforts to amplify LBQ+ voices and promote community-based advocacy and leadership.
According to a Kano Times investigation, WISE’s activities include training social workers and paralegals, empowering LBQ+ youth, conducting community outreach, and collaborating on research on LBQ+ needs in West Africa and Nigeria.
However, WISE faces significant challenges due to the conservative environment, where LGBTQ rights are often seen as incompatible with religious and cultural values.
WISE on an Advocacy Visit to the Kano State Hisbah Board
Many Kano residents express concern on social media platforms that WISE’s activities could disrupt social order and weaken local traditions, making its operations difficult in this traditionally conservative region.
WISE on an Advocacy Visit to the National Human Rights Commission, Kano Office
Our investigation has revealed that WISE is headed by Mrs. Nnedinma Ulanmo Anochimonye, a human rights activist and lawyer. The organization is situated at Plot 239, Jigirya Yankaba Kawaji, Bompai GRA, Kano State.
Despite Kano’s religious character, WISE continues to advocate for the empowerment of the LBQ+ community, framing its work as promoting social change and empowerment.
