Dialogue Session on Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Gender Expression, and Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC)-Inclusive Development: An Emerging Development Issue

• OVERVIEW
• AGENDA
• SPEAKERS

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 2: Reflections from World Bank Group
Clif Cortez
Global Advisor on SOGI, World Bank Group

Presentation 3: ADB's Approach
Francesco Tornieri
Principal Social Development Specialist (Social Inclusion), SOGIESC Focal Point, ADB

Presentation 4: Initiatives of JICA
Tomohiro Iwabuchi
Advisor (Gender), Office for Gender Equality and Poverty Reduction, Governance and Peacebuilding Department, JICA

Q&A

Closing Reflections
Hana Brixi
Global Director for Gender, World Bank Group

Registration:

To participate, please register by online form posted on this webpage, selecting your preferred mode of participation (in-person or online by Webex).