Southern Highlands Youth Initiatives (SHYI) was established in mid-2016 by a determined group of sexual minority youth in the Southern Highlands region of Tanzania. The organization's primary goal is to address the various challenges faced by sexual minority youth in the area. By November 22, 2016, SHYI successfully obtained registration as a youth NGO from the Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly, and Children (MoHCDEC).

Since its inception, SHYI has been actively involved in addressing the pressing issues affecting youth, particularly sexual minority youth, in Tanzania's southern regions. These issues primarily include violence, stigma, and discrimination, which occur in various settings such as health facilities, public spaces, educational institutions, family environments, and encounters with law enforcement. Additionally, there's a notable limitation in the opportunities available for sexual minority youth to engage in income- generating activities.

Moreover, SHYI has observed instances where sexual minority individuals have not received adequate support from government systems, particularly concerning access to health services and associated benefits. This lack of support further exacerbates the challenges faced by sexual minority youth in the region.

In summary, SHYI is dedicated to advocating for the rights and well-being of sexual minority youth in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania by addressing issues such as violence, stigma, discrimination, and limited access to essential services and opportunities.

Despite operating in an environment that is often unwelcoming to sexual minority communities, SHYI has managed to achieve significant improvements in the health, human rights, safe spaces, and overall well-being of sexual minority youth in the Southern Highlands region.