Executive Summary:
In 2023, Cairo 52 Legal Research Institute marked a significant transformation by shifting from a volunteer-driven organization to a fully operational entity providing paid services through employment and consultancy. This evolution was fueled by the institute’s first-ever external funding, moving beyond the small donations it had relied upon in previous years. Additionally, Cairo 52 achieved a crucial milestone by becoming formally registered as a non-profit organization in Estonia under registration number 80627894.
Throughout 2023, Cairo 52 focused on enhancing its operations across its three core units: Research, Legal, and Media. These units worked in unison to deliver grassroots legal aid services, including consultations and pro bono representation, while also engaging in advocacy through strategic litigation. The Research unit conducted evidence-based research and collected data to bolster advocacy efforts. Meanwhile, the Media unit played a key role in raising public awareness and engaging in advocacy campaigns. The year saw an expansion of these units to boost their productivity and impact.
These achievements highlight Cairo 52’s progress in 2023 in advancing the rights of sexual and gender minorities in Egypt. By employing an intersectional approach, the institute has focused on linking sexual and bodily freedoms to fundamental human rights, empowering communities discriminated against and criminalized due to their sexual and gender minority status.