Safe Friendly Society (SFS) is a registered non-profit organization committed to advancing the rights, dignity, and well-being of LGBTQI+ individuals in Rwanda. We also work actively on promoting Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) for marginalized communities.
The Board provides strategic leadership, approves policies, oversees financial management, and evaluates organizational performance. It meets quarterly and during special sessions when needed.
Appointed by the Board, the Executive Director leads daily operations, manages programs and staff, and represents the organization to external stakeholders.
Program Managers oversee the planning, implementation, and monitoring of thematic programs such as Human Rights, Economic Empowerment, and SRHR.
Community-based committees composed of LGBTQI+ members provide grassroots input, ensuring programs are responsive and community-driven.
Launching new programs and major partnerships require Board approval to align with our mission and long-term vision.
Day-to-day decisions are made by the Executive Director and staff through consensus-oriented management.
At Safe Friendly Society (SFS), we are committed to building a more inclusive, empowered, and healthy society for LGBTQ+ individuals across Rwanda.
We champion dignity, visibility, and safety for LGBTQ+ communities by creating safe spaces, supporting grassroots advocacy, and promoting inclusive policies. Through community-led initiatives, we work to challenge stigma, discrimination, and exclusion—ensuring every person is free to live authentically and without fear.
We believe in the power of economic independence to transform lives. SFS equips LGBTQ+ individuals with practical skills, entrepreneurship training, and access to financial resources. Our programs foster innovation, reduce economic vulnerability, and support long-term self-reliance—especially for those living in marginalized or underserved areas.
SFS connects key populations—including men who have sex with men and trans women—to essential health and HIV prevention services. We support community health education, rapid response in emergencies, and referrals to friendly, non-discriminatory clinics. Our work also responds to disruptions in health access caused by conflict or funding cuts, ensuring no one is left behind.
We document the lived experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals to inform policy, advocacy, and program design. Our research highlights inequalities, tracks emerging trends, and ensures that the voices of marginalized communities are heard and respected. By producing data and stories from both urban and rural settings, we drive evidence-based change and amplify community knowledge.
Since our founding, Safe Friendly Society (SFS) has been a driving force in advancing the rights, health, and wellbeing of LGBTQ+ communities in Rwanda—especially those in underserved urban and rural areas.
We've supported over 300 LGBTQ+ individuals in sharing their stories safely, challenging harmful stereotypes, and creating new spaces of visibility and pride—both online and offline.
Through our SustainPride program and Queer Innovation Hub, we have trained and mentored more than 80 LGBTQ+ youth in entrepreneurship, digital skills, and financial literacy—unlocking pathways to independence and resilience.
We've reached over 200 key population members, including MSM and trans women, with referrals, emergency HIV support, and health navigation—especially in times of crisis and funding cuts.
We lead community-based research to document the lived realities of LGBTQ+ individuals in Rwanda. Our findings inform advocacy, support inclusive program design, and elevate the voices and experiences of those too often left out of mainstream narratives.
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Capturing moments from our work in communities across Rwanda
Download our reports, guides, and resources for more information
Hear directly from those we serve in Rwanda
Personal stories of resilience and empowerment in the Rwandan LGBTQI+ community.
First-hand accounts of challenges and triumphs in Rwanda's marginalized communities.