Like heterosexual and cisgender women and girls, sexual and gender minorities are held to and impacted by prevailing restrictive gender norms, and thus struggle to benefit from governments¡¯ development efforts, including efforts to improve human capital and human security, increase economic opportunities, and enhance voice as well as agency. From a social inclusion standpoint, exclusion based on SOGIESC exists in different forms across most cultures. Homosexuality is illegal in many countries and is sometimes punishable by death, and people who express a gender identity that does not conform to their gender as assigned at birth also face punishment, violence, and other forms of exclusion. Even in countries without harsh and punitive laws, it is still common for LGBTQIA+ people to face social exclusion and violence. Social stigma driven by homophobia and transphobia, regressive norms, and discriminatory laws fuel the exclusion of sexual and gender minorities and creates barriers to accessing markets, services and spaces.
By fostering dialogue among World Bank Group, Asian Development Bank, and Japan International Cooperation Agency and other key stakeholders, the session aims to raise awareness, reflect on lessons-learned, and inform consideration of SOGIESC inclusion as one of the newest emerging development issues.
Program:
Welcome and Overview
Presentation 1: SOGIESC in International Cooperation ¡¡
Clif Cortez
Global Advisor on SOGI, Word Bank Group
Presentation Material: (PDF)
Presentation 2: Reflections from World Bank Group
Clif Cortez
Global Advisor on SOGI, World Bank Group
Presentation Material: (PDF)
Presentation 3: ADB¡¯s Approach
Francesco Tornieri
Principal Social Development Specialist (Social Inclusion), SOGIESC Focal Point, ADB
Presentation Material: (PDF)
Presentation 4: Initiatives of JICA
Tomohiro Iwabuchi
Advisor (Gender), Office for Gender Equality and Poverty Reduction, Governance and Peacebuilding Department, JICA
Presentation Material: (PDF, Japanese)
Q&A
Closing Reflections
Hana Brixi
Global Director for Gender, World Bank Group