Civil Society
South Africa still hasn’t won LGBTQ+ equality. Here are 5 reasons why
This month, South Africa celebrates the anniversary of its pioneering gay-marriage decision. But the reality on the ground lags far behind the legal situation.
Rivona Pillay
Rivonia Pillay is a South African civil engineer and queer advocate. At the Department of Water and Sanitation, she works on water and sanitation provision, improving access to basic services for those who have been historically underserved. She believes that strong moral leadership in government is key to achieving an equitable society.
As a recipient of InspiringFifty 2018 she advocates for more women in STEM, leadership and in country building. She’s passionate about the progress and protection of LGBTQ+ rights and people. She co-leads the LGBTQ+ Community gatherings with Johannesburg Hub, providing more safe spaces for the queer community especially during the varying levels of lockdown around the world. She is eager to help more hubs to do the same so we create more inclusive and progressive communities.
Rivonia served as the 2018-19 Tshwane Hub Curator which opened her eyes to the power of this community and strengthened her aspiration to create more positive change through it. She is an Apolitical Academy Public Service Fellow, Climate Reality Leader, UNESCO EauMega Youth Committee member, IWA Young Water Professionals ExCo and now an Impact & Knowledge Advisory Council member.
Her hope is that we keep removing obstacles, starting with the preventable ones, so that people can achieve their full potential!
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