Mauritius: No One Left Behind - A Trans-Led Campaign for Health, Equality & Institutional Change

A trans-led movement in Mauritius is redefining equality through humane storytelling, radical inclusion and bold public campaigns. EkiT is shifting national attitudes, strengthening leadership and pushing for systemic reforms in healthcare and gender recognition.

EkiT, a trans-led collective based in Albion, Mauritius, emerged from several years of high-level collaboration on the “Advancing Transgender Rights” project with Collectif Arc-en-Ciel (CAEC). Through this work, the team spearheaded national advocacy, movement building and strategic communications that highlighted the lack of trans-led leadership in shaping national policies and public narratives.

This strategy responded to a critical gap: trans issues stagnated because they were rarely led by trans people themselves. EkiT addressed this gap by launching a national communication and visibility campaign shaped through a decolonial, care-centred lens. At the heart of their work lies the principle of “radical inclusion,” a framework where safety is prioritised, mistakes are reframed rather than punished and leaders are empowered to thrive.

A key component of the strategy was shifting from traditional portrayals of stigma to humane, relatable storytelling. Through photography, exhibitions and visible “artivism,” EkiT normalised trans identities while simultaneously building empathy and public understanding. This approach was strengthened by ancestral honouring practices designed to re-centre dignity, belonging and intergenerational safety.

The impact of these efforts is reflected in marked changes in public attitudes documented in the “Fear and Fairness” national survey. Over recent years, there has been a recorded 12% improvement in attitudes toward transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) people. Today, 82% of Mauritians agree that TGNC individuals should be protected, while 97% state they would never commit violence against a transgender person. This shift indicates a transition from silence and political inertia toward social acceptance and readiness for structural change.

The change achieved through EkiT’s leadership is significant. Advocacy, once limited to closed-door meetings, is now public, visible and community powered. Bold billboard campaigns and community workshops have helped bridge the gap between growing public support and systemic reform. As a result, the TGNC community is increasingly recognised as a legitimate and respected part of the national landscape.

This momentum creates powerful opportunities for next steps. With 15% of the population undecided on issues such as marriage equality and 8% open to further progress, EkiT is now positioned to push for legal gender recognition and improved access to equitable healthcare, including gender‑affirming care and STI treatment. Their resilience-centred model ensures that new trans leaders can enter decision-making spaces without compromising their well‑being.

To sustain this change, EkiT is formalising its structure, investing in leadership development and diversifying funding. This includes donation campaigns, community events, long-term partnerships and ongoing applications for local and international grants. Their institutionalisation of radical inclusion and decolonial values ensures that as the organisation grows, its roots remain grounded in safety, dignity and ancestral honouring.

Together, these strategies are shaping a future in Mauritius where no trans person is left behind, and where dignity and equality become national values rather than aspirations.

Quotes: 

Moksha - a binder of hope and actionable objectives... The inclusive structure and shared leadership approach will surely evolve in healthy dynamics.

Irfan - I am glad to be among more people who can share their own views... to make this a safer, more inclusive space for all of us. 

Stacy - Thanks to you I know who I am... You made me feel safe and like my voice, even if small, matters. 

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