Mandela Washington Fellowship - Summer 2017
“I feel honored to be here because this is a historic place.”
Justine Hamupolo has over 7 years of experience working with youth, young women, and girls and the broader lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex people in supporting the capacity building, mobilization, and movement building of young people both in response to HIV/AIDS as well as human rights. Currently, Justine is a feminist, human rights and community activist volunteering at the Trans-diverse, Intersex, Androgynous Movement in Namibia (TIAMON), an organization that advocates for the rights, well-being, and re-affirmation of gender identity, gender expression and socio-economic development of trans women, trans men, and gender-nonconforming/androgynous persons in Namibia. Justine further spends her time assisting young girls who play professional football with homework twice a week. Justine is currently serving on the Key Population Technical Working Group of the Ministry of Health and Social Services as their secretary. Justine holds a diploma in Information studies from the University of Namibia and is currently in her final year doing her Bachelors in Communication with the Namibia University of Science and Technology. Justine is motivated by her passion to contribute towards building a strong movement centered towards creating change and protecting the rights of all within the current social, political, and economic context of our communities. Upon completion of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, Justine plans to contribute towards and be part of a broader progressive social movement that works towards the full attainment of the implementation of human rights for all.