Zamboanga City: Growing up amid the tumultuous backdrop of Zamboanga City and Basilan Province in Mindanao, Rhadem Musawah witnessed the profound struggles faced by marginalized communities during decades of armed conflict and displacement. "We grew up with bombings, corruption, and human rights violations all around us," Musawah reflects. "But even within that, LGBTIQ+ people were often the most vulnerable, unseen, and unheard in humanitarian responses and peace processes."
According to UN Women, Musawah's advocacy today spans the entire nation, though his formative experiences in Mindanao continue to shape his mission. As a queer Muslim advocate, he is committed to supporting individuals at the intersections of discrimination, whether based on gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or religion. His work emphasizes addressing violence against LGBTIQ+ communities in areas where conflict and conservatism intersect. In one notable instance, Musawah's organization, Mujer LGBT+ Organisation, provided emergency assistance to LGBTIQ+ youth injured in a grenade attack during a volleyball game, as well as to the relatives of those killed because of their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and sex characteristics (SOGIESC) in other regions. "These are not isolated incidents," Musawah notes. "They happen too often, and with little accountability."
Musawah also highlights the intersection of climate change with human rights issues, pointing out that women, Indigenous Peoples, and LGBTIQ+ communities are disproportionately affected. In 2024, his organization collaborated with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council to train responders on LGBTIQ+ inclusion in evacuation plans and relief efforts, ensuring that LGBTIQ+ individuals are not overlooked during typhoons, earthquakes, or other disasters.
Over the past two decades, Musawah's organization has been instrumental in passing five local anti-discrimination ordinances across Mindanao, including a groundbreaking ordinance in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in predominantly Muslim Mindanao. "People told us it couldn't be done," Musawah recalls. "But we proved otherwise, with the help of allies and communities who believed in change." He emphasizes the collective passion, resilience, and collaboration that have fueled these achievements, acknowledging the dedication of his team and volunteers.
Musawah's advocacy aligns with the Beijing Platform's focus on ending violence, ensuring access to justice, and promoting inclusive governance. However, he stresses that significant work remains, particularly at the national level, where a comprehensive anti-discrimination bill has been stalled for over two decades. "We cannot talk about gender equality without including LGBTIQ+ people, Indigenous women, and others whose voices are often silenced," Musawah asserts. "It's not enough to be resilient. We need rights, policies, and protections that ensure dignity and equality."
