South African Youth Take Lead In LGBTQ+ Acceptance In Africa

According to the findings of the 2024 African Youth Survey, South African Youth Take Lead In LGBTQ+ Acceptance In Africa.

The results, which were made public this week, show that young South Africans are increasingly realizing the value of equality and safeguards for LGBTQ+ people, positioning the nation as a pioneer in LGBTQ+ acceptance in Africa.

The Ichikowitz Foundation commissioned the poll, which involved 5,604 in-person interviews with youths in 16 African nations, evenly split by gender, aged 18 to 24.

The percentage of young South Africans who think LGBTQ+ people should have more safeguards has risen from 64% in 2020 to an astounding 80%. Compared to the average of 37% for the entire continent (which was slightly lower than 38% in 2020), this number is more than double.

In South Africa, 56% of young people said they would feel comfortable reporting crimes inspired by sexual orientation. However, the percentages are marginally higher for crimes motivated by religion (62%) and race (60%) than for hate crimes.

South African youth reported feeling comfortable reporting gender-based violence at a rate of 60%, five points below the continent’s average, which was dominated by Rwanda (96%), Kenya (90%) and Zambia (78%).

Less than half (45%) of South African respondents stated that everyone is treated fairly under the law in their nation, compared to 56% who stated the same across the continent, indicating that South African young are more conscious of inequality;

Although there have been significant advancements, the results also highlight areas that still require attention. Approximately 30 of the 69 nations in the world that still forbid same-sex relationships are found in Africa.

The Ichikowitz Foundation’s founder and executive chairman, Ivor Ichikowitz, gave some thought to the results, especially in light of South Africa.

“As a nation, we have made significant progress in tackling the practical issue of equally preserving the rights of all South Africans as well as the need for greater acceptance and tolerance of sexual identity. However, more work needs to be done in terms of both awareness and action.

In this way, these results serve as a crucial reminder to all of us that upholding democracy entails defending the liberties and rights of every South African, and that, as we commemorate the significant thirtieth anniversary of the end of apartheid, we acknowledge that our work must go on,” Ichikowitz said.

Since its inception five years ago by the Ichikowitz Foundation, the 2024 African Youth Survey is the third of its type to be conducted. This year’s poll covered 16 nations, including Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, Ethiopia, Gabon, Cameroon, Chad, Congo Brazzaville, Côte d’Ivoire, and Botswana.

–Deeprows News